Chicago Ranks Top Amongst Worst Cities For Parking Your Car

By Jon Graef in News on Mar 29, 2014 8:30PM

photo by kookybites

We even beat out New York. According to NerdWallet, who took a look at both daily and monthly parking costs, as well as vehicle theft rates, Chicago is the worst city for parking. We bet they really needed to twist your arm for you to believe that.

NerdWallet's main reason for Chicago to be at the top? "Parking prices skyrocketed in 2009 after the city made a deal for a group of investors, organized by Morgan Stanley, to operate its meters for 75 years," John Kuo writes.

Here's what Kuo also says:

This city is known for its parking woes—especially the controversial privatization of the parking meters, which led to a dramatic increase in parking fees in 2009. A consortium called Chicago Parking Meters LLC operates the meters. You’ll drop $35 a day to park in the city and $289 per month. The city lists the fines you’ll receive for various parking violations on their website.

...

Chicago also has 33.4% more motor vehicle thefts per capita than the national average. And if you get a citation, you must contest it within seven days of receiving it or pay the fine online.

Nerdwallet also made positive mentions of ParkChicago, an app that allows you to pay for parking through it, and spoke of the city's "multiple public transportation options."

Chicago beat out Oakland, San Francisco, New York, and Boston for the, uh, let's call it honor.