Forum
Analytics
Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
#51
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
31%
Weight: 150
Chicago is relatively expensive compared to many cities globally, especially for housing and dining, though cheaper than NYC or San Francisco.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
27%
Weight: 80
Rental prices in Chicago are high, particularly in popular neighborhoods favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
54%
Weight: 40
Moderate prices with a wide variety of options, from affordable grocery stores to mid-range dining.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72%
Weight: 20
Public transit is affordable with monthly passes; rideshares and taxis are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
43%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options can be pricey, especially concerts and theater, but there are free or low-cost events too.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost moderately; many budget gyms and boutique studios available.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is one of the most stable and widely accepted currencies globally.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
89%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces throughout the city catering to various budgets and needs.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
83%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though quality and noise levels vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
76%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and conducive work environments.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
62%
Weight: 100
Chicago is moderately popular among digital nomads but less so than coastal tech hubs.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
92%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
71%
Weight: 30
Strong culture of work-life balance with many parks and recreational activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution and industrial activity impact air and environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
53%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies by neighborhood; downtown is generally well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
99%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barriers for English speakers.
💨 Air Quality
47%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor due to traffic and industrial pollution, especially in summer.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks, but urban environment may be challenging for some families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and specialists available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
21%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are very high without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
79%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure but expensive for uninsured.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
32%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and frequent rain; summers are warm but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
78%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms and tornadoes in the region.
🏞️ Green Spaces
74%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and lakefront green spaces available for recreation.
❄️ Air Conditioning
81%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
73%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with cold winters and warm summers.
🔊 Noise Pollution
44%
Weight: 10
High noise levels in downtown and busy neighborhoods.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
86%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, music, and diverse communities.
🌃 Nightlife
80%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
69%
Weight: 15
Lake Michigan and parks offer outdoor activities, though urban setting limits wilderness.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
75%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and cultural centers available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Wide range of tours and local experiences showcasing Chicago’s history and culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
82%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor attractions provide ample entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
87%
Weight: 25
Diverse and high-quality food options including iconic Chicago-style cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
79%
Weight: 10
Many yoga studios with varied styles and price points.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
78%
Weight: 15
Wide availability of gyms, fitness centers, and specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
81%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic, vegan, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
76%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone is convenient for communication with both coasts and Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
83%
Weight: 25
Strong professional and tech community with frequent events and meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
74%
Weight: 20
Good job market with many companies offering remote positions.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
71%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and networking.
🏢 Coworking Quality
85%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities and good locations.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
79%
Weight: 15
Active startup ecosystem with accelerators and venture capital presence.
💳 Local Payment Services
84%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments and mobile wallets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
63%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with some local crypto meetups and businesses accepting crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
91%
Weight: 30
O'Hare is a major international hub with extensive global connections.
🚇 Public Transit
77%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive CTA bus and train system covering most of the city.
🚶 Walkability
72%
Weight: 20
Downtown and some neighborhoods are very walkable; suburbs less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
90%
Weight: 15
Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Growing bike lane network and Divvy bike-share system, but weather limits year-round use.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
78%
Weight: 15
Good rail and bus connections to other major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Electric scooters and bike rentals available in central areas.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
88%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G/5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
95%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
86%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some parks and public buildings but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
30%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and restrictive for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
41%
Weight: 30
High federal and state taxes; not very tax-friendly for freelancers or remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
83%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional local unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
64%
Weight: 15
Requires US address and documentation; can be challenging for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Moderately straightforward but involves bureaucratic steps.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but visa and cost barriers.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
73%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and events for digital nomads and remote workers.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
79%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for Chicago-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Safety varies widely by neighborhood; some areas have higher crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive, with resources for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
63%
Weight: 50
Diverse city but some racial tensions persist.