Evanston, IL vs O'Fallon, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and O'Fallon, IL is dramatic. O'Fallon is 32% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while O'Fallon sits at 96, 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 $1,312/month in O'Fallon — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: O'Fallon is more affordable at $274,100 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $102,793 in O'Fallon (-6.8%). O'Fallon 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 15.3% in O'Fallon.

Climate-wise, O'Fallon is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 50.8°F in Evanston. O'Fallon receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.