Calumet City, IL vs Evanston, IL

The cost of living difference between Calumet City, IL and Evanston, IL is dramatic. Calumet City is 35.5% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calumet City has a cost index of 81 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 Calumet City is $1,138/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calumet City is more affordable at $133,600 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Calumet City is $53,991 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-43.6%). While Evanston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Calumet City spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Evanston.