Evanston, IL vs Oak Forest, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Oak Forest, IL is dramatic. Oak Forest is 32.4% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Oak Forest sits at 95, 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 $1,287/month in Oak Forest — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oak Forest is more affordable at $247,800 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $87,941 in Oak Forest (+8.9%). Evanston does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.6% in Oak Forest.

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