Evanston, IL vs Park Ridge, IL

Evanston, IL and Park Ridge, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Evanston scores 126 while Park Ridge scores 126 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Evanston is $1,698/month compared to $1,511/month in Park Ridge — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Park Ridge has cheaper rent, Evanston actually has lower median home values ($472,300 vs $539,300).

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $138,059 in Park Ridge (-30.6%). Park Ridge 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 13.1% in Park Ridge.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 51.3°F). Park Ridge receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.