Evanston, IL vs New Lenox, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Lenox is 20.6% cheaper than Evanston. With a cost index of 105 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Lenox 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 $1,244/month in New Lenox — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Lenox is more affordable at $377,500 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $133,071 in New Lenox (-28%). New Lenox 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 11.2% in New Lenox.

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