Evanston, IL vs St. Charles, IL

Evanston, IL and St. Charles, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Evanston scores 126 while St. Charles scores 120 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 $1,788/month in St. Charles — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evanston has cheaper rent, St. Charles actually has lower median home values ($369,700 vs $472,300).

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $115,350 in St. Charles (-17%). St. Charles 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 18.6% in St. Charles.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.7°F). St. Charles receives more rainfall at 33.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.