Evanston, IL vs Granite City, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Granite City, IL is dramatic. Granite City is 95.5% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Granite City sits at 65, 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 $761/month in Granite City — a 123% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Granite City is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $60,490 in Granite City (+58.3%). The higher salaries in Evanston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.1% in Granite City.

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