How much does it cost to commute in Chicago?
In the Chicago metro area, households spend about 43.0% of income on the combined cost of housing and transportation, with transportation alone accounting for roughly 16.0% of income — about $13,921 per year for a typical household. (Source: CNT Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, area-median-income household.)
Public-transit fares near downtown Chicago range from $4.25 to $15.75, with a median single-trip fare of $8.25 (priced fares in the data cover Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) and 92 priced origin-destination fare pairs in the data. Bike-share is available via Divvy, priced at $1.00 to unlock plus $0.20 per minute.
Driving downtown means paying about $21.59 a day to park (median of 40 sampled garages). The region has 6 priced toll facilities, with rates from $2.10 to $15.55. On a simple daily round-trip basis from the data here, the lowest-cost option is using bike-share at about $10.00 per day.
Cost by mode in Chicago
Daily round-trip cost, lowest first. All figures.
| Mode | Daily round trip | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Bike-shareCheapest | $10.00 | Divvy: 2 x (unlock $1.00 + 20 min @ $0.20/min) |
| Public transit | $16.50 | 2 x median transit fare ($8.25) |
| Drive (park + toll) | $25.79 | downtown parking $21.59/day + 2 x lowest priced toll ($2.10) |
Public transit fares
| Agency | Fares | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District | 92 | $8.25 | $4.25–$15.75 |
Bike-share
A typical 20-minute ride costs about $5.00.
Toll roads near Chicago
6 priced toll facilities, rates from $2.10 to $15.55.
| Facility | Operator | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Tollway I-294 (Tri-State) | Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | $15.55 |
| Illinois Tollway I-90 (Jane Addams) | Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | $14.30 |
| Illinois Tollway I-88 (Reagan) | Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | $10.95 |
| Illinois Tollway I-355 (Veterans) | Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | $10.10 |
| Chicago Skyway (I-90) | Skyway Concession Company | $6.15 |
| Illinois Tollway I-390 | Illinois State Toll Highway Authority | $2.10 |
Downtown parking
Housing + Transportation affordability
The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for housing + transportation combined. Source: CNT H+T Index (AMI household). Typical household drives 15,088 miles/yr.
The numbers above are metro-wide medians. Enter your real origin and destination to compare drive, transit, park-and-ride, bike, and Uber by actual dollars — gas, tolls, parking, and fares included.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to commute by transit in Chicago?
The median single-trip transit fare in the Chicago area is $8.25, ranging from $4.25 to $15.75 depending on the agency and trip distance. A daily round trip costs roughly $16.50.
Is it cheaper to drive or take transit in Chicago?
Taking transit costs about $16.50 for a daily round trip, while driving and parking downtown costs about $25.79 per day (parking $21.59 plus tolls from $2.10). Transit is the cheaper option on a daily basis.
How much is daily parking in downtown Chicago?
Downtown Chicago parking costs about $21.59 per day, or $293.55 per month for a reserved spot, based on 40 sampled garages.
What are the toll roads near Chicago and what do they cost?
The Chicago region has 6 priced toll facilities. The highest-rate facility is Illinois Tollway I-294 (Tri-State) (Illinois State Toll Highway Authority) at $15.55. Rates across the region run from $2.10 to $15.55.
How much does bike-share cost in Chicago?
Divvy bike-share in Chicago costs $1.00 to unlock plus $0.20 per minute. A 20-minute ride costs about $5.00.
What share of income goes to housing and transportation in Chicago?
In the Chicago metro, a typical household spends about 43.0% of income on housing and transportation combined, with 16.0% on transportation alone — roughly $13,921 per year. The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for H+T combined.