Evanston, IL vs Round Lake Beach, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Round Lake Beach, IL is dramatic. Round Lake Beach is 34.9% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Round Lake Beach sits at 93, 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 $1,382/month in Round Lake Beach — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Round Lake Beach is more affordable at $191,200 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $86,632 in Round Lake Beach (+10.5%). 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 19.1% in Round Lake Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 48.3°F). Round Lake Beach receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.