Evanston, IL vs Plainfield, IL

Evanston, IL and Plainfield, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Evanston scores 126 while Plainfield 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 $1,889/month in Plainfield — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evanston has cheaper rent, Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($398,000 vs $472,300).

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $142,265 in Plainfield (-32.7%). Plainfield 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 15.9% in Plainfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.4°F). Plainfield receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.