Chicago and Toronto: Similarities and Differences

[ChiSkyline]

So many people have been lately comparing these two cities. Many are saying ones more diverse, one has a better downtown life / skyline & etc. I just want to know what's the difference between these two cities and what are some advantages one has over the other. I don't mind people giving there opinions on which one is better then the other, but as long there's no bashing one city... Feel free to share some photos.

[isaidso]

This isn't something that can be summarized in even a few pages, so I'll just get the ball rolling with a few initial observations:

Chicago:
Bigger
Wealthier
A get it done Mid-West attitude

Toronto:
More diverse
More momentum
Internationalist outlook quickly shedding a blue collar past

[chicagogeorge]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Toronto:

Internationalist outlook quickly shedding a blue collar past

I think this can also apply to Chicago.


A closer look at Chicagoland's diversity and immigration trends.





and some more.....




http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Fil...son_singer.pdf

[mhays]

Chicago's overseas numbers remain small vs. LA, NY, Toronto, SF, etc. Also, Chicago's total foreign born percentage didn't grow much compared to most other cities.

I have a lot of love for Chicago. Just sayin.

[chicagogeorge]

Originally Posted by mhays

Chicago's overseas numbers remain small vs. LA, NY, Toronto, SF, etc.

Does anyone know what number of foreign born TO or rather the GTA has?

Also, Chicago's total foreign born percentage didn't grow much compared to most other cities.

Well the percent change from 2000-2010 is larger for Chicago than it is for NYC and L.A. Los Angeles saw the smallest growth in foreign born population, and actually a slight decline in percentage, but it already has 1/3rd of the metro.... Most of the growth is happening east of the LA. MSA in the Riverside/San Bernardino MSA. Rate patterns aren't terribly different between CHicago and NYC's metro even though overall numbers are much higher in NYC.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by chicagogeorge

Does anyone know what number of foreign born TO or rather the GTA has?

'mhays' is correct. Chicago has tons of immigrants, but considerably less than what exists in Toronto. Toronto's the most ethnically diverse city in the western world according to both the United Nations and the OECD. The number of foreign born constitutes about half the population whether one looks at Toronto, the GTA, or even the Golden Horseshoe. (This isn't counting 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation, etc. A Chinese-Canadian born in Canada doesn't count.)

Toronto's numbers dwarf Chicago's in % terms, absolute terms, and in the variation in where they come from. No one source country accounts for more than 15% of the foreign born population.

[Xusein]

This is kinda city vs city but I think this thread can be salvaged if the discussion stays civil, but it's up to the local mod here...

That said...I've lived in Toronto when I was a kid for a small time and have visited the city countless times since, I know the city pretty well. Last summer, I visited Chicago for the first time for three days so I think I have a bit of a personal perspective here. The similarities are obvious, both are big Great Lakes cities with similar urban designs.

- Chicago is a much larger city than Toronto, when it comes to expanse. It just feels bigger, I dunno. And the suburbs are bigger too. Driving out of the metro area, it feels like it goes on forever. Toronto has a Greenbelt that breaks things up a bit.

- Toronto has a stronger international focus, not only because of it's higher immigration, but it's higher stature within Canada than Chicago gets in the US. Toronto is like the NYC of Canada with no other city in that country competing with that. Chicago has to compete with not only NYC and LA but places like San Francisco, Miami, and Washington DC when it comes to status.

- Chicago has more centralized development than Toronto. Although the latter has a very big downtown with much stronger development activity, it also has other hubs like North York, Mississauga, and Scarborough Centre. In Chicago, it is ALL about the Loop.

[isaidso]

That's pretty much how I see it as well.

[ChiSkyline]

Originally Posted by Xusein

This is kinda city vs city but I think this thread can be salvaged if the discussion stays civil, but it's up to the local mod here...

That said...I've lived in Toronto when I was a kid for a small time and have visited the city countless times since, I know the city pretty well. Last summer, I visited Chicago for the first time for three days so I think I have a bit of a personal perspective here. The similarities are obvious, both are big Great Lakes cities with similar urban designs.

- Chicago is a much larger city than Toronto, when it comes to expanse. It just feels bigger, I dunno. And the suburbs are bigger too. Driving out of the metro area, it feels like it goes on forever. Toronto has a Greenbelt that breaks things up a bit.

- Toronto has a stronger international focus, not only because of it's higher immigration, but it's higher stature within Canada than Chicago gets in the US. Toronto is like the NYC of Canada with no other city in that country competing with that. Chicago has to compete with not only NYC and LA but places like San Francisco, Miami, and Washington DC when it comes to status.

- Chicago has more centralized development than Toronto. Although the latter has a very big downtown with much stronger development activity, it also has other hubs like North York, Mississauga, and Scarborough Centre. In Chicago, it is ALL about the Loop.

I had no intentions of making this a city vs city thread.. This was suppose show, not only me but others, the difference and similarities between these two cities. I did say they can choose one over the other since people do have a right to there opinion, but this is not a which one is better.. I just want more info on this topic since so many people seem to discuss it.

[DCboom]

In my book, Chicago is what happened when Toronto and Philadelphia came together to make sweet, sweet loven. Their overgrown lovechild left the East, traveled throught he Detroit River and settled in the cornfields of Illinois on the shore of Lake Michigan. In middle age she developed huge buildings and a truly horrific accent. In her later years she has grown even taller, yet can't shed an amusing Napoleanic complex.

[mhays]

Yes, who could love the Chicago accent, aside from its humor. Which is known elsewhere by the Da Bearss characters of course.

[ChiCity]

I'm in love Chicagoes accent! It's one of my favorite accents, I wish I had one.. Lol Anyway back to the topic, I have lived in Chicago since almost all my life, and I'm currently living in Toronto. Here's the difference, Chicago is very diverse city but I would have to to say that Toronto is more diverse I think we all can agree on that. Downtown life I'll have to say Chicago with out a doubt. When I was recently visiting Chicago and I was in downtown and my face just lit up like a child in a candy shop! So much lights, so many things to do in a walking/bike distance with amazing view everywhere you go (something I miss) Especially on the Lake Front, and Navy Pier. The downtown life wins for Chicago with flying colors.. People wise I'll say they both have similar not as rude as NYC people, nice bit with a bit of attitude in some people. Skyline I think we know the winner for this, Chicago. Although Toronto has a banging skyline. I'm not Trying to give a City vs City thing here. I'm just choosing from experience in both cities. I love both cities both equally beautiful but in different ways.

[Sarcasticity]

I think one of the most common things I hear of Chicago is it's the most American of all major cities. I guess it's due to the weak immigrant presence in the city unlike other US cities.

I agree with most of what Xusein. Chicago's downtown core is just way bigger and taller than Toronto, but Toronto has other smaller hubs going for it but with Chicago, it goes flat after.

I think Toronto's international flare is due to it being the premiere city of Canada. Was in Toronto last October, but I thought Vancouver had a more international feel though, well from what I observed. Chicago sadly, is not US' premiere city, and from an outsider's perspective, I'd rather visit San Francisco or Miami. But when it comes to stature, I don't think most americans would put Chicago with San Fran or Miami though

However, you feel that Chicago has more of an identity as a city than Toronto.

Weather-wise, I think these two cities are almost identical, with Toronto being slightly colder due to probably a higher latitude.

Toronto has more momentum going for it. It has like almost 200 highrise u/c while Chicago has like 20.

These two cities are always being compared. Well, both are amazing.

[mhays]

I'll give Chicago props for having a lot of strong ethnic representations, dating from immigration long ago. This overcomes a lot of the issue with moderate recent/current immigration.

I do think it's in a strong #3 for prominence among US cities. Not from a tourist perspective necessarily, though it would still rank highly, but as a city overall. Obviously it's #2 from an urbanity/scale perspective, at the center.

[chicagogeorge]

Thanks for the information on the diversity levels of TO. I knew it was extremely multi-cultural.
The last time I was in TO was back in the early 80's. I was about 12.

Originally Posted by Sarcasticity

Weather-wise, I think these two cities are almost identical, with Toronto being slightly colder due to probably a higher latitude.

Chicago is much more humid, and significantly warmer during the summer, but not that much milder in the winter (December is identical).

These are the 1971-2000 averages:

[ChiCity]

Originally Posted by Sarcasticity

I think one of the most common things I hear of Chicago is it's the most American of all major cities. I guess it's due to the weak immigrant presence in the city unlike other US cities.

I agree with most of what Xusein. Chicago's downtown core is just way bigger and taller than Toronto, but Toronto has other smaller hubs going for it but with Chicago, it goes flat after.

I think Toronto's international flare is due to it being the premiere city of Canada. Was in Toronto last October, but I thought Vancouver had a more international feel though, well from what I observed. Chicago sadly, is not US' premiere city, and from an outsider's perspective, I'd rather visit San Francisco or Miami. But when it comes to stature, I don't think most americans would put Chicago with San Fran or Miami though

However, you feel that Chicago has more of an identity as a city than Toronto.

Weather-wise, I think these two cities are almost identical, with Toronto being slightly colder due to probably a higher latitude.

Toronto has more momentum going for it. It has like almost 200 highrise u/c while Chicago has like 20.

These two cities are always being compared. Well, both are amazing.

I didn't get what you meant in the bolder part. Please explain? And 200! Woah, Chicago needs to get out this recession! Lol


Anyways I feel Chicago has a little more to offer than Toronto and most of USA big cities. I read that's one if the reason why is growing in tourist.. I'll try and find where I have read because I didn't read it recently.. Lol

[Kensingtonian]

Originally Posted by chicagogeorge

Thanks for the information on the diversity levels of TO. I knew it was extremely multi-cultural.
The last time I was in TO was back in the early 80's. I was about 12.




Chicago is much more humid, and significantly warmer during the summer, but not that much milder in the winter (December is identical).

These are the 1971-2000 averages:

looks like the biggest difference is in March. And believe me, that's when you need it most. I'm so sick of winter by then and in Toronto it's STILL hovering around 0. In Chicago it looks like spring actually starts in March when it's supposed to.

[Kensingtonian]

oh, those are average HIGHS. Does Chicago have move of a daily temperature range (ie, colder nights) because of it's more interior prairie location?

[chicagogeorge]

Originally Posted by Kensingtonian

looks like the biggest difference is in March. And believe me, that's when you need it most. I'm so sick of winter by then and in Toronto it's STILL hovering around 0. In Chicago it looks like spring actually starts in March when it's supposed to.

I'm kind of a weather geek so.....

True, TO's Springs start awfully late. March is no picnic in Chicago either. The month is spastic, with a record high of 30C, and a record low of -22C. We get blizzards (19.2"/49cm fell on Mar 25-26, 1930), thunderstorms, and tornadoes in March......





We don't get more consistent mild temps until late April. and warm temps until mid May thanks to the cooling effects of Lake Michigan

Here is Chicago Midway airport (the city's longest continuous weather data station) averages and records. Averages are from 1971-2000.




I should add that Chicago's west and south suburbs away from Lake Michigan, have higher average highs during the summer and lower average minimas. During the spring and autumn it's usually warmer during the day and cooler at night in the suburbs. However, during the winter, it's usually colder in both daytime maxima and nightly minimas.


Take a look at a cold January month in 2009 between Chicago Midway and west suburban Aurora (50km distance)








On the other hand take a look at the temps and heat indecies outside the city when sometimes during the summer, lake winds cool the city.

This was a day last July:







Our suburbs had a Heat Index (similar but more conservative than the Canadian Humidex) of 47C+


It's not like the city doesn't get hot, if there are strong south or west winds, no lake cooling. In 1995, several hundred Chicago residents died as a result of 40C+ heat combined with 27C+ dew points which pushed heat indecies past 52C

Originally Posted by Kensingtonian

oh, those are average HIGHS. Does Chicago have move of a daily temperature range (ie, colder nights) because of it's more interior prairie location?

Good question. Chicago is even more significantly warmer at nightly minimas than TO. We are more southerly, and have more humidity which keeps night time temps higher.

[Kensingtonian]

Ya, Toronto has the same thing with the lake moderating temps. Case in point - I think those lows you posted must be from Pearson airport, which is 25 - 30km away from the lake. The lows on Wikipedia are not as bad (coldest is -7.3C in Jan.): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto#Climate They were measured in the Annex which is closer to the lake.


...and most Canadians are obsessed with weather because our winter weather is so terrible