Buffalo Grove, IL vs Evanston, IL

Buffalo Grove, IL and Evanston, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Buffalo Grove scores 130 while Evanston scores 126 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Buffalo Grove is $2,042/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evanston has cheaper rent, Buffalo Grove actually has lower median home values ($392,900 vs $472,300).

Median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (+35.6%). While Buffalo Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo Grove spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Evanston.