Evanston, IL vs Vernon Hills, IL

Evanston, IL and Vernon Hills, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Evanston scores 126 while Vernon Hills scores 124 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 $1,855/month in Vernon Hills — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Evanston has cheaper rent, Vernon Hills actually has lower median home values ($384,800 vs $472,300).

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $120,625 in Vernon Hills (-20.6%). Vernon Hills 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 18.5% in Vernon Hills.

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