Milwaukee, WI vs Evanston, IL

The cost of living difference between Milwaukee, WI and Evanston, IL is dramatic. Milwaukee is 37.4% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Milwaukee has a cost index of 79 while Evanston sits at 126, 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 Milwaukee is $1,033/month compared to $1,698/month in Evanston — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Milwaukee is more affordable at $172,000 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Milwaukee is $51,888 compared to $95,766 in Evanston (-45.8%). While Evanston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Milwaukee spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Evanston.