Aurora, IL vs Evanston, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Aurora is 17.7% cheaper than Evanston. With a cost index of 104 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Aurora to Evanston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Aurora is $1,535/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Aurora is more affordable at $260,400 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Aurora is $90,109 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-5.9%). Evanston does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Aurora spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Evanston.