⚖️ City comparison
Chicago vs Valencia
Thinking of leaving Chicago for Valencia? Here is how life in Valencia, Spain compares with Chicago on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Valencia is 40% cheaper: $2,214 vs $3,676 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Valencia: $1,388 vs $2,407 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Valencia has more pleasant weather: 9 pleasant months a year vs 4.
- Valencia is warmer: highs average 15°F more across the year (coldest-month high 63°F vs 32°F in Chicago; hottest 89°F vs 81°F).
- Residents rate Valencia safer: a safety index of 63 vs 35 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- To live in Valencia you'd need a visa: Spain offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) ($3,274/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 🇪🇸 Valencia |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 49 | 73 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $3,676 | $2,214 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $2,407 | $1,388 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,269 | $825 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 4 | 9 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 32–81°F | 63–89°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 35/100 (residents) | 63/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 385 Mbps | 395 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.7 µg/m³ | 10.6 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Official language | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | Very high |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | Very high |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | In the US | ~8h to New York |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 1 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | You live here | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Not needed | Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | US tax as now | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 47% |
Best months to be there
🇺🇸 Chicago
3 best months
🇪🇸 Valencia
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Chicago climate · Valencia climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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