Belleville, IL vs Evanston, IL

The cost of living difference between Belleville, IL and Evanston, IL is dramatic. Belleville is 42.3% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belleville has a cost index of 73 while Evanston sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belleville is $947/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belleville is more affordable at $131,000 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Belleville is $60,529 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-36.8%). The higher salaries in Evanston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Belleville spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Evanston.