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    Bali vs Chicago: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐ŸŒด

    Bali

    Indonesia ยท $1,200/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ™๏ธ

    Chicago

    United States ยท $2,600/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Bali, Indonesia and Chicago, United States is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Bali and Chicago across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Bali earns an overall score of 72.00/100, while Chicago scores 72.99/100. A 0.99-point modest gap that Chicago leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Bali is described as: "The digital nomad paradise. Unbeatable cost of living but infrastructure gaps remain." Meanwhile, Chicago is known as: "Architectural marvel with deep cultural roots. Harsh winters but affordable by US standards." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Bali

    72
    / 100

    Chicago

    66

    In economic factors, Bali takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in employment & income (74 vs 63). Bali has a commanding lead in cost factors (82 vs 50).

    Bali stands out for freelance/remote work market, daily living costs, transportation costs, though job market strength and salary levels could be improved. Chicago performs well in currency stability and banking system despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Bali

    63
    / 100

    Chicago

    74

    Job Market Strength

    38/ 10073

    Salary Levels

    42/ 10082

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    94/ 10074

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    78/ 10068

    Cost Factors

    Bali

    82
    / 100

    Chicago

    50

    Housing Costs

    83/ 10042

    Daily Living Costs

    93/ 10048

    Transportation Costs

    89/ 10065

    Entertainment Costs

    88/ 10055

    Healthcare Costs

    84/ 10037

    Education Costs

    55/ 10052

    Economic Environment

    Bali

    69
    / 100

    Chicago

    78

    Tax Rates

    72/ 10056

    Business Regulations

    58/ 10064

    Economic Stability

    74/ 10083

    Currency Stability

    68/ 10095

    Banking System

    71/ 10090

    Quality of Life

    Bali

    74
    / 100

    Chicago

    67

    In quality of life, Bali takes the lead with a score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in education (76 vs 64). Bali has a solid advantage in safety & environment (67 vs 57). Bali has a commanding lead in climate & nature (87 vs 64).

    Bali stands out for natural beauty, beach/water access, mountains/hiking, though universities and natural disaster risk could be improved. Chicago performs well in english-speaking medical staff and universities despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Bali

    75
    / 100

    Chicago

    75

    Healthcare Quality

    74/ 10087

    Healthcare Accessibility

    72/ 10071

    Healthcare Affordability

    86/ 10038

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    81/ 100100

    Mental Health Services

    62/ 10074

    Dental Care

    73/ 10079

    Education

    Bali

    64
    / 100

    Chicago

    76

    School Quality

    74/ 10067

    International Schools

    81/ 10074

    Universities

    39/ 10094

    Language Schools

    72/ 10071

    Vocational Training

    52/ 10076

    Safety & Environment

    Bali

    67
    / 100

    Chicago

    57

    Crime Rates

    76/ 10033

    Personal Safety

    79/ 10039

    Political Stability

    84/ 10091

    Natural Disaster Risk

    41/ 10061

    Air Quality

    76/ 10054

    Water Quality

    52/ 10073

    Noise Pollution

    64/ 10049

    Climate & Nature

    Bali

    87
    / 100

    Chicago

    64

    Climate Suitability

    89/ 10059

    Sunshine Hours

    84/ 10071

    Rainfall Patterns

    69/ 10066

    Natural Beauty

    98/ 10079

    Green Spaces

    84/ 10089

    Beach/Water Access

    96/ 10073

    Mountains/Hiking

    91/ 10012

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Bali

    62
    / 100

    Chicago

    75

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 62/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in transportation (73 vs 50). Chicago has a solid advantage in connectivity (70 vs 57).

    Chicago stands out for airport connectivity, public transport quality, mobile network quality, though ferry connections and traffic congestion could be improved. Bali performs well in coworking spaces and taxi/rideshare despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Bali

    50
    / 100

    Chicago

    73

    Public Transport Quality

    29/ 10088

    Public Transport Coverage

    32/ 10082

    Public Transport Affordability

    71/ 10079

    Bike Infrastructure

    41/ 10076

    Walkability

    49/ 10081

    Traffic Congestion

    31/ 10041

    Driving Conditions

    43/ 10062

    Taxi/Rideshare

    91/ 10084

    Car Ownership Necessity

    62/ 10064

    Connectivity

    Bali

    57
    / 100

    Chicago

    70

    Airport Connectivity

    86/ 10094

    Airport Distance

    82/ 10081

    Train Connections

    0/ 10072

    Bus Connections

    44/ 10080

    Ferry Connections

    71/ 10025

    Digital Infrastructure

    Bali

    83
    / 100

    Chicago

    81

    Internet Speed

    79/ 10079

    Internet Reliability

    76/ 10086

    Internet Cost

    89/ 10069

    Mobile Network Quality

    81/ 10087

    Coworking Spaces

    95/ 10084

    Public WiFi

    78/ 10083

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Bali

    77
    / 100

    Chicago

    66

    In housing & living spaces, Bali takes the lead with a score of 77/100 compared to 66/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Bali has a solid advantage in housing market (78 vs 60).

    Bali stands out for expat/international areas, housing variety, proximity to amenities, though landlord regulations and gentrification trends could be improved. Chicago performs well in proximity to amenities and neighborhood diversity despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Bali

    78
    / 100

    Chicago

    60

    Rental Availability

    81/ 10036

    Rental Costs

    84/ 10041

    Purchase Prices

    82/ 10061

    Housing Quality

    79/ 10077

    Housing Variety

    86/ 10081

    Landlord Regulations

    53/ 10063

    Neighborhoods

    Bali

    77
    / 100

    Chicago

    75

    Neighborhood Diversity

    69/ 10086

    Expat/International Areas

    94/ 10069

    Gentrification Trends

    61/ 10054

    Proximity to Amenities

    85/ 10089

    Daily Life & Services

    Bali

    77
    / 100

    Chicago

    81

    In daily life & services, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 81/100 compared to 77/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in shopping & retail (83 vs 70).

    Chicago stands out for restaurant variety, electricity reliability, e-commerce, though utility costs and restaurant affordability could be improved. Bali performs well in street food and restaurant variety despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Bali

    70
    / 100

    Chicago

    83

    Supermarket Availability

    82/ 10087

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    58/ 10076

    Shopping Mall Quality

    62/ 10079

    International Brands

    53/ 10089

    Local Markets

    94/ 10083

    Opening Hours

    73/ 10073

    E-commerce

    68/ 10091

    Food & Dining

    Bali

    89
    / 100

    Chicago

    83

    Restaurant Variety

    95/ 10094

    Restaurant Quality

    91/ 10089

    Restaurant Affordability

    94/ 10061

    Cafรฉ Culture

    93/ 10084

    Street Food

    96/ 10071

    Alcohol Availability

    68/ 10090

    Food Delivery

    86/ 10091

    Essential Services

    Bali

    75
    / 100

    Chicago

    80

    Pharmacy Density

    81/ 10089

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    68/ 10076

    Medicine Availability

    79/ 10089

    Postal Services

    61/ 10071

    Banking Services

    79/ 10090

    Laundry Services

    82/ 10074

    Repair Services

    71/ 10071

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    89/ 10083

    Pet Services

    67/ 10079

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Bali

    74
    / 100

    Chicago

    78

    Electricity Reliability

    76/ 10094

    Water Reliability

    71/ 10091

    Utility Costs

    88/ 10056

    Heating/Cooling

    82/ 10068

    Waste Management

    54/ 10079

    Cultural & Social Life

    Bali

    72
    / 100

    Chicago

    84

    In cultural & social life, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 84/100 compared to 72/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Chicago has a commanding lead in culture & entertainment (87 vs 63).

    Chicago stands out for language barriers, museums & galleries, sports culture, though nightlife safety and expat community size could be improved. Bali performs well in expat community size and historical sites despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Bali

    63
    / 100

    Chicago

    87

    Museums & Galleries

    49/ 10094

    Historical Sites

    92/ 10086

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    43/ 10089

    Music Scene

    73/ 10093

    Cinema Options

    61/ 10080

    Libraries

    42/ 10079

    Art Scene

    79/ 10087

    Social Life

    Bali

    74
    / 100

    Chicago

    82

    Nightlife Quality

    79/ 10087

    Nightlife Safety

    71/ 10054

    Festival Calendar

    91/ 10091

    Sports Culture

    82/ 10094

    Social Clubs

    81/ 10079

    Dating Scene

    76/ 10077

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    37/ 10091

    Community

    Bali

    82
    / 100

    Chicago

    82

    Local Friendliness

    91/ 10081

    Expat Community Size

    95/ 10067

    Expat Integration

    81/ 10073

    Language Barriers

    54/ 10098

    Cultural Events

    87/ 10089

    Professional & Career

    Bali

    76
    / 100

    Chicago

    74

    In professional & career, Bali takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Bali has a solid advantage in work environment (86 vs 70).

    Bali stands out for coworking culture, remote work acceptance, work-life balance, though major companies and competition level could be improved. Chicago performs well in internet for work and major companies despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Bali

    71
    / 100

    Chicago

    78

    Industry Clusters

    71/ 10079

    Major Companies

    41/ 10084

    Startup Ecosystem

    69/ 10071

    Coworking Culture

    94/ 10083

    Professional Networking

    89/ 10077

    Business Associations

    62/ 10074

    Work Environment

    Bali

    86
    / 100

    Chicago

    70

    Work-Life Balance

    91/ 10061

    Remote Work Acceptance

    94/ 10084

    Internet for Work

    83/ 10090

    Time Zone

    77/ 10069

    Business Visa Options

    84/ 10044

    Market Opportunities

    Bali

    72
    / 100

    Chicago

    73

    Client Base

    72/ 10084

    Freelance Market

    91/ 10071

    Competition Level

    52/ 10064

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Bali

    75
    / 100

    Chicago

    71

    In lifestyle & pace, Bali takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Bali stands out for outdoor lifestyle, fitness culture, pace of life, though crowding and tourist volume could be improved. Chicago performs well in tourist infrastructure and weekend culture despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Bali

    81
    / 100

    Chicago

    72

    Pace of Life

    89/ 10064

    Working Hours Culture

    86/ 10069

    Dining Hours

    79/ 10076

    Shop Opening Hours

    72/ 10072

    Weekend Culture

    81/ 10079

    Lifestyle Options

    Bali

    82
    / 100

    Chicago

    75

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    96/ 10077

    Fitness Culture

    90/ 10079

    Health Consciousness

    84/ 10066

    Pet Friendliness

    69/ 10079

    Family Orientation

    71/ 10074

    Tourism Impact

    Bali

    62
    / 100

    Chicago

    65

    Tourist Volume

    45/ 10052

    Tourism Seasonality

    63/ 10059

    Tourist Infrastructure

    83/ 10084

    Authenticity

    79/ 10076

    Crowding

    39/ 10053

    Legal & Administrative

    Bali

    65
    / 100

    Chicago

    66

    In legal & administrative, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 66/100 compared to 65/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Bali has a commanding lead in visa & residency (67 vs 37). Chicago has a solid advantage in administration (76 vs 64). Chicago has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (84 vs 63).

    Chicago stands out for language requirements, freedom of speech, religious freedom, though deportation risk and visa requirements could be improved. Bali performs well in visa requirements and residency options despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Bali

    67
    / 100

    Chicago

    37

    Visa Requirements

    89/ 10036

    Residency Options

    85/ 10039

    Residency Process

    59/ 10037

    Citizenship Pathway

    22/ 10041

    Deportation Risk

    79/ 10032

    Administration

    Bali

    64
    / 100

    Chicago

    76

    Bureaucracy Level

    43/ 10061

    Digital Government

    61/ 10079

    Document Requirements

    64/ 10066

    Language Requirements

    82/ 10092

    Legal System

    68/ 10084

    Rights & Freedoms

    Bali

    63
    / 100

    Chicago

    84

    Freedom of Speech

    71/ 10091

    Religious Freedom

    79/ 10090

    Women's Rights

    69/ 10081

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    34/ 10087

    Worker Rights

    63/ 10071

    Family & Children

    Bali

    70
    / 100

    Chicago

    69

    In family & children, Bali takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 69/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Bali stands out for child safety, family housing, kid activities, though playgrounds and baby/toddler facilities could be improved. Chicago performs well in playgrounds and kid activities despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Bali

    70
    / 100

    Chicago

    75

    Playgrounds

    62/ 10084

    Kid Activities

    73/ 10084

    Child Safety

    80/ 10051

    Pediatric Care

    71/ 10081

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    63/ 10074

    Family Services

    Bali

    71
    / 100

    Chicago

    64

    Childcare Availability

    69/ 10059

    Childcare Costs

    64/ 10041

    School Holidays

    72/ 10071

    Extracurricular Activities

    71/ 10083

    Family Housing

    79/ 10064

    Practical Considerations

    Bali

    70
    / 100

    Chicago

    76

    In practical considerations, Chicago takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 70/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Chicago has a solid advantage in special services (80 vs 69). Chicago has a solid advantage in communication (78 vs 68). Chicago has a solid advantage in emergency services (82 vs 69).

    Chicago stands out for language learning, emergency numbers, gas station density, though vehicle costs and fuel prices could be improved. Bali performs well in fuel prices and vehicle costs despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Bali

    73
    / 100

    Chicago

    66

    Fuel Prices

    91/ 10059

    Gas Station Density

    82/ 10089

    EV Infrastructure

    39/ 10066

    Vehicle Costs

    84/ 10054

    Vehicle Maintenance

    71/ 10064

    Special Services

    Bali

    69
    / 100

    Chicago

    80

    Moving Services

    69/ 10079

    Storage Facilities

    58/ 10074

    Translation Services

    78/ 10082

    Legal Services

    71/ 10084

    Accounting Services

    68/ 10080

    Communication

    Bali

    68
    / 100

    Chicago

    78

    Postal Reliability

    59/ 10073

    Package Import

    51/ 10064

    Language Learning

    79/ 10094

    International Calling

    81/ 10081

    Emergency Services

    Bali

    69
    / 100

    Chicago

    82

    Emergency Response

    63/ 10081

    Emergency Healthcare

    73/ 10086

    Emergency Numbers

    79/ 10090

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    59/ 10071

    Specific to Your Profile

    Bali

    74
    / 100

    Chicago

    71

    In specific to your profile, Bali takes the lead with a score of 74/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Bali has a solid advantage in remote work specific (85 vs 72).

    Bali stands out for cafรฉ laptop culture, coworking day passes, hobby availability, though partner citizenship advantages and citizenship advantages could be improved. Chicago performs well in language skills and dietary requirements despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Bali

    85
    / 100

    Chicago

    72

    Time Zone Alignment

    76/ 10034

    Coworking Day Passes

    91/ 10081

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    94/ 10085

    Video Call Quality

    81/ 10087

    Tech Ecosystem

    82/ 10074

    Personal Circumstances

    Bali

    67
    / 100

    Chicago

    71

    Citizenship Advantages

    41/ 10028

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    35/ 10050

    Industry Presence

    71/ 10071

    Language Skills

    67/ 10096

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    73/ 10081

    Dietary Requirements

    86/ 10091

    Hobby Availability

    91/ 10084

    Pet Import Rules

    68/ 10063

    The Verdict: Bali or Chicago?

    With an overall score of 72.99/100 versus 72.00/100, Chicago leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Bali excels in economic factors, quality of life, housing & living spaces. Chicago leads in infrastructure & connectivity, daily life & services, cultural & social life.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Bali vs Chicago Live