Evanston, IL vs Lockport, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lockport is 19% cheaper than Evanston. With a cost index of 106 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lockport to Evanston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Evanston is $1,698/month compared to $1,503/month in Lockport — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lockport is more affordable at $298,800 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $113,252 in Lockport (-15.4%). Lockport offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Lockport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 52.1°F). Lockport receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.