Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
68%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
62%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, but still higher than many global cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices can be high, especially in desirable neighborhoods, but options vary widely.
🍎 Food & Groceries
65%
Weight: 40
Diverse food scene with a range of prices; groceries are reasonably priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transit is affordable and extensive, though ride-sharing can add up.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are plentiful, but costs can be high for events and nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships are moderately priced, with many options available.
💱 Currency Stability
85%
Weight: 30
The U.S. dollar is stable and widely accepted, providing confidence in transactions.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
80%
Weight: 100
Generally fast internet speeds available, especially in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
82%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces available, catering to various needs and budgets.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
85%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
80%
Weight: 30
A good selection of cafes that cater to remote workers with ample seating and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Growing community of digital nomads, but not as established as in other cities.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Work culture can be demanding, but there are many opportunities for leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is present, but there are efforts to improve green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
60%
Weight: 10
Varies by neighborhood; some areas are well-maintained while others can be dirty.
🗨️ Language Barrier
90%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, making it easy for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be an issue, especially during certain seasons.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
40%
Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive without insurance, which is a concern for many.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare services available, with numerous hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
45%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and hot summers; not ideal for everyone.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk for severe weather, but not prone to major natural disasters.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas available, though urban density limits space.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Most buildings are equipped with air conditioning, essential during summer.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
65%
Weight: 10
Experiences all four seasons, which can be appealing to some.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
85%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and music venues.
🌃 Nightlife
75%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with a variety of bars, clubs, and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
60%
Weight: 15
Limited natural landscapes nearby, but some parks and lakes are accessible.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Language schools available, but not as many options compared to larger cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Many local tours and experiences available, showcasing the city's history and culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
70%
Weight: 10
Numerous indoor activities, including museums, shopping, and entertainment venues.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
80%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food scene with options from around the world.
🧠 Yoga Studios
70%
Weight: 10
Many yoga studios available, catering to various styles and levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
75%
Weight: 15
Good variety of fitness facilities, including gyms and specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Increasing number of healthy food options available in restaurants and stores.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Central time zone can be a mixed bag for international collaboration.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
70%
Weight: 25
Active networking scene with events and meetups for professionals.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
75%
Weight: 20
Growing number of remote job opportunities across various sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
65%
Weight: 20
Freelancing is common, but competition can be high in certain fields.
🏢 Coworking Quality
80%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
70%
Weight: 15
Thriving startup ecosystem with many resources and support networks.
💳 Local Payment Services
85%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted payment options, including credit cards and mobile payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Growing interest in blockchain and crypto, but still developing.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
85%
Weight: 30
O'Hare International Airport offers extensive domestic and international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
75%
Weight: 20
Robust public transit system, including buses and trains, making it easy to navigate.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Many neighborhoods are walkable, though some areas require a car.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
80%
Weight: 15
Widely available ride-sharing services, making transportation convenient.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is improving, but still limited in some areas.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good options for intercity travel via train and bus services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are available, promoting alternative transportation.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
Reliable VPN services available, ensuring secure internet access.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
80%
Weight: 15
Generally reliable power grid with few outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in many areas, though not always secure.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be complex and lengthy for non-U.S. citizens.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
U.S. tax system can be complicated and burdensome for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
85%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
70%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment, though some tensions exist.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be straightforward, but requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration can be bureaucratic and time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
30%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa; options are limited for long-term stays.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Increasingly becoming more nomad-friendly, but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
60%
Weight: 25
Some events and meetups for digital nomads, but not as frequent as in other cities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
70%
Weight: 20
Active online communities for digital nomads, especially on social media.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
65%
Weight: 100
Generally safe, but some neighborhoods have higher crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
75%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Diverse city with a generally tolerant atmosphere, though issues exist.