Edwardsville, IL vs Evanston, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Edwardsville is 25.4% cheaper than Evanston. With a cost index of 94 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Edwardsville to Evanston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Edwardsville is $1,231/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Edwardsville is more affordable at $286,700 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Edwardsville is $92,671 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-3.2%). 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 Edwardsville spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Evanston.

Climate-wise, Edwardsville is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 50.8°F in Evanston. Edwardsville receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.