DeKalb, IL vs Evanston, IL

The cost of living difference between DeKalb, IL and Evanston, IL is dramatic. DeKalb is 33.6% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. DeKalb has a cost index of 84 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 DeKalb is $1,030/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: DeKalb is more affordable at $202,900 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in DeKalb is $46,564 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-51.4%). 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 DeKalb spend roughly 26.5% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Evanston.