Evanston, IL vs Galesburg, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Galesburg, IL is dramatic. Galesburg is 100.9% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Galesburg sits at 63, 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 Evanston is $1,698/month compared to $719/month in Galesburg — a 136% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Galesburg is more affordable at $89,800 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $45,213 in Galesburg (+111.8%). 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 Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Galesburg.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 51.2°F). Galesburg receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.