Chicago Midway Ranked 9th Most Affordable in the Country

Illinois travelers have a genuine advantage that most states don't: two major airports in the Chicago metro area with meaningfully different fares, and one of them is among the most budget-friendly departure points in the entire country.

According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on average domestic airfares at the 100 busiest U.S. airports, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) ranked 9th most affordable nationally with an average fare of $312.18 in 2025—$74.82 below the national average of $387. That puts Midway in the same elite affordability tier as major low-cost Florida hubs.

O'Hare vs. Midway: A $62 Difference Per Ticket

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), the 2nd busiest airport in the country by passenger volume, averaged $374.28 in 2025—ranking 37th most affordable nationally. That's $12.72 below the national average and solid performance for a hub of its size and traffic.

But the comparison to Midway is striking. At $312.18 vs. $374.28, the difference between Chicago's two airports is $62.10 per ticket. For a family of four, that's nearly $249 in savings on a round trip—enough to fund a night at the hotel or a significant chunk of your activity budget.

Midway's strong affordability ranking reflects the competitive carrier environment Southwest Airlines and other budget-focused carriers have built at the airport. More competition on popular routes keeps fares lower than what you'd typically find at a hub of O'Hare's scale.

What Illinois Travelers Should Know

For travelers in Chicago or suburban Illinois with reasonable access to both airports, the choice between O'Hare and Midway is worth factoring in at the start of trip planning—not just for convenience, but for price.

Both airports perform well by national standards. O'Hare at 37th and Midway at 9th put Illinois well ahead of states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Wisconsin in terms of average airfare affordability. Illinois is genuinely a good state to fly out of.

Beyond individual ticket savings, the choice between Midway and O'Hare often comes down to convenience and route network. Midway's compact footprint makes navigating security and reaching gates significantly faster than at O'Hare's sprawling terminals, which can save valuable time on busy travel days. For travelers living on the South Side or in the southern suburbs, shorter driving distances and easier transit connections via the CTA Orange Line add even more value to flying out of MDW.

However, fare differences aren't the only factor to weigh when booking. While Midway excels on high-frequency domestic routes served by budget and low-cost carriers, O'Hare remains the go-to choice for international destinations, non-stop long-haul flights, and broader airline alliance connections. Knowing when to leverage Midway's cost efficiency versus O'Hare's global reach allows local travelers to get the absolute most out of Chicago's dual-airport system.

This data reflects 2025 averages from the Department of Transportation, released in May 2026. Current fares may be higher due to rising jet fuel costs, but the relative relationship between Midway and O'Hare tends to hold over time.

Getting the Most Out of Chicago's Airports

Midway's lower average fare is a strong starting point. Pair it with smart booking habits—particularly booking well in advance of peak season—and Illinois travelers can consistently access some of the most affordable domestic departures in the country.

To get the most from your next departure, explore how to find cheap flights and unexpected ways to cut travel costs to help stretch your budget further once you've already got a head start.

To see how every major airport in the country compares—plus the full methodology behind the data—explore the complete U.S. Airport Cost Rankings for 2026.