Evanston, IL vs North Chicago, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and North Chicago, IL is dramatic. North Chicago is 39.8% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while North Chicago sits at 90, 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 $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Chicago is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+68.6%). 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, less than the 29.4% in North Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 48.3°F). North Chicago receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.