Evanston, IL vs Peoria, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Peoria, IL is dramatic. Peoria is 74.7% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Peoria sits at 72, 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 $951/month in Peoria — a 79% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Peoria is more affordable at $149,500 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $58,716 in Peoria (+63.1%). The higher salaries in Evanston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Peoria.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 52.7°F). Peoria receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.