Evanston, IL vs Woodstock, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Woodstock, IL is dramatic. Woodstock is 39.4% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Woodstock sits at 90, 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 $1,174/month in Woodstock — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Woodstock is more affordable at $231,100 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $83,293 in Woodstock (+15%). 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 16.9% in Woodstock.