Algonquin, IL vs Evanston, IL

Algonquin is moderately more affordable than Evanston, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Algonquin scores 117 compared to 126 for Evanston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Evanston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Algonquin is $1,800/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evanston has cheaper rent, Algonquin actually has lower median home values ($324,000 vs $472,300).

Median household income in Algonquin is $131,753 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (+37.6%). Algonquin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Algonquin spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Evanston.