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Austin vs Chicago weather: climate comparison
Austin is the warmer of the two, averaging 70°F (21°C) over the year against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago. Chicago is wetter, with 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year to Austin's 38.1 in (968 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 20.9°C Austin
10.1°C Chicago - Annual precipitation
- 968.1 mm Austin
982.3 mm Chicago - Rainy days a year
- 98 Austin
121 Chicago - Sunshine per day
- 9.3 h Austin
8.8 h Chicago
Month by month
| Month | Austin | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16.0°C | -0.9°C |
| February | 18.1°C | 0.6°C |
| March | 22.3°C | 5.4°C |
| April | 26.2°C | 11.4°C |
| May | 29.7°C | 17.9°C |
| June | 33.0°C | 24.2°C |
| July | 34.6°C | 26.6°C |
| August | 35.3°C | 25.8°C |
| September | 31.8°C | 22.5°C |
| October | 27.1°C | 15.6°C |
| November | 21.1°C | 8.3°C |
| December | 17.1°C | 2.2°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Austin | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 20.9°C | 10.1°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Aug · 35°C | Jul · 27°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · 6°C | Jan · -7°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 29°C | 34°C |
| Annual precipitation | 968.1 mm | 982.3 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 98 | 121 |
| Wettest / driest month | May / Jul | May / Feb |
| Average sunshine per day | 9.3 h | 8.8 h |
In short: Austin is the warmest overall (20.9°C mean); Chicago gets the most precipitation (982.3 mm a year); Austin is the sunniest (9.3 h a day on average); Austin has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Austin 42.4°C (2011-08-28), Chicago 37.4°C (2022-06-21). Record low: Austin -15.3°C (2021-02-16), Chicago -32.5°C (2019-01-31).
Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (CC BY 4.0). Values are ERA5 reanalysis model data on a ~9–25 km grid, not readings from a weather station, so a single town’s thermometer can differ by a few degrees and local showers can be missed. Monthly means of daily ERA5 values, 1996–2025, for the grid cells nearest Austin (30.26, -97.69) and Chicago (41.86, -87.65).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in February, when Austin runs 32°F / 18°C warmer, and narrowest in July (14°F / 8°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in July: Chicago gets 1.5 in (39 mm) more on average.
Add a third or fourth city, or swap in any other place, in the full comparison tool. For one city in depth, see the Austin climate and Chicago climate pages.
Compare Austin or Chicago with another city
Questions people ask
Is Austin warmer than Chicago?
Austin is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 70°F (21°C) against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Austin or Chicago?
Chicago, with about 38.7 in (982 mm) of precipitation a year and 121 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 38.1 in (968 mm) and 98 days in Austin.
Which is sunnier, Austin or Chicago?
Austin averages more sunshine: 9.3 h a day against 8.8 h. Sunshine duration is modelled from cloud cover.
How reliable is this comparison?
Both cities use the same 30-year reanalysis, so differences are consistent. Absolute values describe a grid cell several kilometres wide and can differ by a degree or two from the airport station.