Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
#51
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Chicago is relatively expensive compared to many US cities, with high costs in accommodation and dining.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28%
Weight: 80
Rental prices in Chicago are high, especially in popular neighborhoods favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
41%
Weight: 40
Food prices are moderate to high, with a wide range of options from affordable to upscale.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Public transit is affordable with monthly passes; rideshares are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are plentiful but can be pricey, especially in downtown areas.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
57%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with many options including budget gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is one of the most stable currencies globally.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed internet widely available with reliable fiber connections in most areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
89%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces spread across the city catering to various budgets.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
85%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for working remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
79%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes with comfortable seating and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
62%
Weight: 100
Chicago is moderately popular among digital nomads, more so for business travelers.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
68%
Weight: 30
Good balance with plenty of leisure activities and work opportunities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
51%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is a concern but mitigated by green initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
54%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies by neighborhood; downtown is generally well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
43%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor at times due to traffic and industrial activity.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
90%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and specialists available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
21%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive without insurance; costs can be prohibitive for nomads.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure but costly.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
30%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and frequent rain; summers are warm but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Many parks and lakeside green areas, including Millennium Park and Lake Michigan shoreline.
❄️ Air Conditioning
90%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
72%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with cold winters and warm summers.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, music, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
83%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
67%
Weight: 15
Access to Lake Michigan and parks but limited natural wilderness nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Wide variety of city tours, food tours, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
84%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, shopping centers, and indoor sports facilities abound.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
89%
Weight: 25
Diverse and high-quality food options, including famous deep-dish pizza.
🧠 Yoga Studios
76%
Weight: 10
Many yoga studios offering various styles and price points.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
78%
Weight: 15
Wide range of gyms, fitness centers, and specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
82%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic markets, vegan and health-conscious restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone is favorable for communication with both coasts and Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
85%
Weight: 25
Strong professional and tech communities with frequent events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
73%
Weight: 20
Good job market with many companies open to remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
71%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance opportunities with growing gig economy.
🏢 Coworking Quality
86%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
79%
Weight: 15
Active startup ecosystem with accelerators and venture capital presence.
💳 Local Payment Services
88%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments and mobile wallets.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
65%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but still emerging adoption in mainstream businesses.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
92%
Weight: 30
O'Hare is a major international hub with extensive flight options.
🚇 Public Transit
74%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive CTA bus and train network but can be crowded and delayed.
🚶 Walkability
78%
Weight: 20
Downtown and many neighborhoods are very walkable.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
90%
Weight: 15
Uber, Lyft, and other services widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Growing bike lane network but cycling infrastructure still developing.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
77%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to nearby cities and states.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
71%
Weight: 10
Several scooter and bike rental services available downtown and in popular areas.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G and 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
95%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
83%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but can be inconsistent.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
35%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and often restrictive for digital nomads.
📊 Tax Friendliness
30%
Weight: 30
High federal and state taxes; complex tax regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional local unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Requires US address and documentation; can be challenging for short-term nomads.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
72%
Weight: 10
Business registration is 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
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but limited by visa and cost constraints.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
70%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and events for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
78%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for Chicago-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Safety varies by neighborhood; some areas have higher crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive but caution advised in certain areas at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
68%
Weight: 50
Diverse city with ongoing efforts toward inclusivity; some social tensions persist.