Chicago vs New York vs Los Angeles: Which City Is Best for Your Next Shoot?
March 5, 2026 · 15 min read
Choosing where to shoot your next production is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make. The city you choose affects everything — your budget, your visual aesthetic, the crew you'll work with, the permits you'll need, and ultimately the quality of the finished product. For most American productions, the decision comes down to three cities: Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
Each city has fiercely loyal advocates who'll argue it's the best production market in the country. And they're all right — depending on the project. The truth is that each city excels in different areas, and understanding those strengths is the key to making the right choice. Let's break it down.
Cost Comparison
Budget is often the deciding factor, so let's start with the bottom line.
Los Angeles
LA has the highest baseline production costs among the three cities. Studio rental rates are premium, crew rates are at the top of the scale (driven by strong union presence), and living costs for visiting talent and producers are steep. However, the depth of the market means there's a wider range of options — from affordable studios in the Valley to premium spaces in Hollywood and Westside.
Typical studio day rate: $2,000-8,000 Average crew daily rate: $600-1,200 (depending on department) Per diem: $75-125
New York
New York rivals LA in costs, with some categories (particularly location rentals in Manhattan) exceeding LA prices. However, outer borough locations (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx) offer significant savings. The city's free filming permit system is a notable advantage.
Typical studio day rate: $1,800-7,000 Average crew daily rate: $600-1,100 Per diem: $75-125
Chicago
Chicago is the clear cost leader among the three cities. Location rates, crew rates, and living expenses are all significantly lower than LA or NYC. The Illinois Film Tax Credit (30% on qualified spending) further sweetens the economics. For productions where budget is a primary concern, Chicago often delivers the best value.
Typical studio day rate: $1,200-5,000 Average crew daily rate: $450-900 Per diem: $55-85
Winner: Chicago, by a comfortable margin.
Location Diversity
Los Angeles
LA's location diversity is unmatched in the United States. Within a 90-minute drive, you can shoot on a sun-baked desert, a snow-capped mountain, a Pacific beach, a dense urban downtown, a suburban tract, a rural farm, and a Mediterranean-style estate. Add in the San Fernando Valley's ranch properties and the mountain communities, and you have virtually every American landscape represented.
The climate is also a major factor — LA offers year-round shooting with minimal weather disruptions. The consistent sunshine creates predictable lighting conditions that simplify scheduling.
New York
New York's location diversity is primarily urban, but within that domain, it's extraordinary. From the brownstone-lined streets of Brooklyn to the gleaming towers of Midtown, from the industrial waterfront of Red Hook to the village-like charm of Greenwich Village, NYC offers an encyclopedia of urban settings. The city's ethnic neighborhoods also provide distinct visual environments that can stand in for locations around the world.
However, NYC's weather introduces significant variability. Summer heat, winter storms, and the unpredictable shoulder seasons can disrupt schedules and add contingency costs.
Chicago
Chicago splits the difference. The city offers genuine architectural diversity — the Loop's Art Deco towers, the brownstone neighborhoods of Lincoln Park, the industrial corridors along the Chicago River, and the residential blocks of the South Side. Lake Michigan provides a natural waterfront that many productions use as a stand-in for coastal settings.
Chicago's biggest location limitation is also its biggest character asset: the weather. The dramatic seasonal changes create distinct visual moods — snow-covered streets in winter, lush green parks in summer, golden autumnal light in October — but they also limit the comfortable shooting window.
Winner: Los Angeles, thanks to climate consistency and geographic range.
Crew and Talent
Los Angeles
LA has the deepest talent pool in the world, period. Every production department — from camera to costume, from VFX to voice — has hundreds of experienced professionals available. The concentration of entertainment industry talent in LA is the result of over a century of Hollywood production, and no other city comes close.
The flip side: LA crews are expensive and in high demand. During peak production season, securing top-tier crew members requires early booking and competitive rates.
New York
NYC's crew base is deep and highly skilled, with particular strength in commercial, documentary, and television production. New York crews are known for their speed and adaptability — working in the city's challenging logistics (tight spaces, crowded streets, unpredictable weather) has made them remarkably resourceful.
Chicago
Chicago's crew base has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increased production volume. The city now has experienced professionals in most departments, though the depth isn't as great as in LA or NYC. For very specialized roles (underwater cinematography, advanced Steadicam work, high-end VFX supervision), you may need to bring talent from the coasts.
Winner: Los Angeles, with New York a close second.
Permits and Production Support
Los Angeles
FilmLA manages the permitting process for most of Los Angeles County. The system is well-established but can be complex for newcomers. Permit fees vary by location type and production scale. The city's extensive experience with productions means most neighborhoods and institutions are production-friendly.
New York
NYC has arguably the best public permitting system in the country. MOME issues free permits for filming on public property and maintains a dedicated team of production coordinators who help navigate logistics. The city actively encourages filming and has streamlined the process significantly.
Chicago
The Chicago Film Office manages permits through a straightforward application process. Permit fees are modest, and the office is known for being responsive and helpful. Illinois's 30% tax credit is administered through a relatively simple application process.
Winner: New York, thanks to free public permits and MOME's exceptional support system.
The Intangible Factor: Visual Identity
Beyond the practical considerations, each city brings a distinct visual identity that can shape your production's entire aesthetic:
Los Angeles says: sunshine, aspiration, glamour, casual luxury, the California dream. The light is warm and golden, the spaces are open, and there's an effortless quality to the imagery.
New York says: energy, ambition, grit, sophistication, the American hustle. The light is dramatic and changeable, the spaces are dense, and every frame carries the weight of the city's cultural significance.
Chicago says: authenticity, resilience, Midwestern warmth, architectural grandeur, the American heartland. The light is clean and honest, the spaces are substantial, and there's a groundedness to the imagery that reads as real and unpretentious.
The Verdict: It Depends on Your Project
There's no universal winner. The right city depends on your specific production needs:
Choose Los Angeles if: You need consistent weather, maximum location diversity, the deepest talent pool, or a sun-drenched aesthetic. Best for: feature films, episodic television, fashion and beauty campaigns, music videos.
Choose New York if: You need urban authenticity, cultural density, free public permits, or that unmistakable New York energy. Best for: commercials, documentaries, television dramas, brand content with an urban edge.
Choose Chicago if: Budget is a priority, you want Midwestern authenticity, you need strong architectural backdrops, or your production benefits from the Illinois tax credit. Best for: independent films, commercial campaigns, corporate content, productions seeking a "real America" aesthetic.
Find Your Perfect Location in Any City
Whichever city you choose, Blocmark makes finding and booking the right production space simple. Browse verified locations in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago with detailed specs, professional photos, transparent pricing, and reviews from real productions.
Compare spaces across cities, filter by your specific needs, and book with confidence. Start your search on Blocmark and find the perfect location for your next shoot — wherever it takes you.