đź“Š Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Evanston and San Diego
Head-to-Head Analysis
Evanston vs San Diego
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
đź“‹ The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Evanston | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $97,085 | $105,780 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $420,000 | $930,000 |
| Price per SqFt | $305 | $662 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,231 | $2,248 |
| Housing Cost Index | 110.7 | 185.8 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 103.3 | 103.5 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 425.6 | 378.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | — | 52% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 33 | 25 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
San Diego vs. Evanston: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
So, you're trying to decide between the sun-drenched coast of San Diego and the intellectual, leafy suburbs of Evanston. It’s a classic West Coast vs. Midwest showdown, but the devil is in the details. One offers legendary beaches and a laid-back vibe; the other boasts top-tier education and a tight-knit community feel.
As your relocation expert, I’m here to cut through the brochure hype. We’re going to look at the raw data, the hidden costs, and the lifestyle trade-offs. Let's dive in.
The Vibe Check: Beach Town vs. Academic Haven
Let’s start with the soul of these places.
San Diego is the quintessential Southern California dream. It’s a sprawling metropolis of 1.4 million people that feels like a collection of friendly beach towns. The vibe is aggressively casual. You’ll see flip-flops in boardrooms, surfboards on cars, and a culture that prioritizes outdoor living. It’s a city for people who want to blend career ambition with a vacation lifestyle. The economy is anchored by biotech, military, and tourism. If your ideal day ends with a sunset taco on the sand, this is your place.
Evanston, with its population of 75,000, is a different beast entirely. It’s a sophisticated, dense suburb of Chicago, defined by Northwestern University. The vibe is intellectual, walkable, and culturally rich. You’ll find independent bookstores, world-class theater, and a community deeply engaged in civic life. It’s a city for families who value education and access to a major metro area (Chicago is just a 45-minute 'L' train ride away) without the chaos. The vibe is more “book club and farmers market” than “surf and brunch.”
Who is it for?
- San Diego: The outdoorsy professional, the biotech worker, the retiree who wants perfect weather, the person who sees a beach as a necessity, not a luxury.
- Evanston: The academic, the young professional who needs a big-city job but wants a quiet home base, the family prioritizing public schools, the urbanite who prefers a walkable neighborhood over a car-centric sprawl.
The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Feel Bigger?
This is where the sticker shock hits hardest. Let's get real about your purchasing power.
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | San Diego | Evanston | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-BR Median Rent | $2,248 | $1,231 | Evanston |
| Utilities (Monthly) | ~$200 | ~$250 | San Diego |
| Groceries | ~12% above nat'l avg | ~4% above nat'l avg | Evanston |
| Housing Index | 185.8 | 110.7 | Evanston |
| Median Income | $105,780 | $97,085 | San Diego |
Analysis: At first glance, San Diego’s higher median income seems to offset its costs. But let’s talk purchasing power.
If you earn $100,000 in Evanston, your money goes significantly further. That $1,231 rent for a 1-BR is a dream compared to San Diego’s $2,248. That’s a monthly difference of over $1,000—or $12,000 a year. You could buy a lot of groceries and still have money left for Chicago’s entertainment scene.
In San Diego, that same $100,000 salary gets stretched thin. The Housing Index of 185.8 means housing costs are nearly 86% higher than the national average. You’ll be paying a premium for the sunshine, and it’s a premium many struggle to afford.
The Tax Factor (A Critical Insight):
Illinois and California are both high-tax states, but they hit you differently.
- California has a steep progressive income tax (up to 13.3%), high gas taxes, and high sales tax.
- Illinois has a flat income tax (4.95%), but notoriously high property taxes. In Cook County (where Evanston sits), property taxes can be brutal, sometimes adding 2-3% of a home’s value annually. This is a key reason Evanston’s home prices are lower—the tax burden is baked in.
Salary Wars Verdict: For pure dollar stretch, Evanston wins. Your $100k feels like $100k. In San Diego, it might feel like $75k after housing and taxes.
The Housing Market: Buying a Dream vs. Buying a Home
This is the biggest financial decision you'll make. Let’s break it down.
San Diego: The Seller’s Market of Dreams (and Nightmares)
- Median Home Price: $930,000
- Market Reality: It’s a relentless seller’s market. Inventory is chronically low, and competition is fierce. Bidding wars are standard, and all-cash offers often crush financed buyers. You’re not just buying a house; you’re buying into a lifestyle that many are desperate for. The $930k median is for a single-family home, often small and needing updates. For anything near the coast or in a desirable neighborhood, you’re easily looking at $1.2M+.
- Renting: With a median 1-BR rent of $2,248, renting is the default for many, but it’s a financial sinkhole with no equity.
Evanston: A Competitive, but More Accessible, Market
- Median Home Price: $420,000
- Market Reality: The market is competitive, but it’s a different scale. You can find a charming bungalow or a condo for under $500k. For a family home in a top-rated school district, you’re looking at $600k-$800k—still a fraction of San Diego’s entry point. The catch? Property taxes. A $600,000 home could have an annual tax bill of $12,000-$18,000. You must factor this into your monthly payment.
- Renting: At $1,231, renting is a viable long-term strategy, especially for young professionals who want to save for a down payment in a less punishing market.
Verdict: If homeownership is a non-negotiable goal and you don’t have a $200k down payment ready to go, Evanston is the clear winner. San Diego’s market is for high-earners or those with significant family money.
The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
This is where personal preference trumps data.
Traffic & Commute:
- San Diego: Car-dependent. The I-5, I-805, and SR-163 are infamous for congestion. Your commute could easily be 45-60 minutes each way. Public transit (trolley/bus) exists but is not comprehensive.
- Evanston: A commuter’s dream. The CTA Purple Line runs directly into downtown Chicago. Many residents walk or bike to the "L" or Metra. You can live a car-free life here, which is nearly impossible in San Diego. The commute to Chicago is reliable and scenic.
Weather: The Ultimate Divider
- San Diego: 57.0°F annual average is misleading. It’s a climate of perfection. Winters are mild (50s-60s), summers are warm but rarely oppressive (70s-80s), and humidity is low. You can enjoy outdoor activities year-round. It’s the single biggest draw.
- Evanston: 20.0°F annual average tells the real story. Winters are long, cold, and gray, with significant snowfall. Summers are hot and humid (80s-90s). You get four distinct seasons, but winter is a serious commitment. If you hate the cold, this is a dealbreaker.
Crime & Safety:
Let’s be honest with the data.
- San Diego: Violent Crime Rate: 378.0/100k. This is above the national average (~380/100k), but San Diego is often perceived as safer than other major CA cities. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Do your research.
- Evanston: Violent Crime Rate: 425.6/100k. Surprisingly higher than San Diego. This is influenced by its proximity to Chicago and specific incidents. However, Evanston is still considered a very safe, family-oriented community overall. The data suggests you should be street-smart, but it’s not a war zone.
Insight: The crime stats are closer than perception suggests. Your safety is more about your specific neighborhood in either city than the city-wide average.
The Verdict: Who Wins Each Category?
After crunching the numbers and living in the hypothetical, here’s the breakdown.
🏆 Winner for Families: Evanston
The math is compelling. Top-tier public schools (New Trier High School is legendary), a safer, walkable environment, and access to Chicago’s cultural and educational resources are unbeatable for families. The median home price of $420k vs. $930k is the game-changer. You can own a home in a great school district without being house-poor. The trade-off? You’ll endure brutal winters.
🏆 Winner for Singles/Young Pros: San Diego
If you’re in biotech, tech, or a coastal industry, San Diego’s job market is vibrant. The lifestyle is unparalleled for networking and socializing. The weather encourages an active, social life year-round. Yes, you’ll likely rent and pay a premium, but you’re buying an experience. Evanston can feel sleepy for a young single person; San Diego is buzzing.
🏆 Winner for Retirees: San Diego
For retirees, weather is everything. The ability to golf, walk, and garden in January is worth the high cost of living. Many retirees on fixed incomes make it work by downsizing or moving to inland suburbs. Evanston’s harsh winters can be physically challenging and isolating for older adults.
Final Pros & Cons
SAN DIEGO
- Pros: Legendary climate, stunning natural beauty, diverse economy, vibrant culture, outdoor lifestyle year-round, generally better weather than most of the US.
- Cons: Eye-watering cost of living (especially housing), brutal housing market, traffic, competitive job market in some sectors, high taxes.
EVANSTON
- Pros: Excellent public schools, walkable/bikeable, direct access to Chicago, more affordable housing, four distinct seasons, strong sense of community.
- Cons: Harsh, long winters, high property taxes, can feel small/insular compared to a major city, violent crime rate is slightly higher than San Diego’s.
The Bottom Line:
Choose San Diego if you prioritize lifestyle and weather above all else, and you’re prepared for the financial grind.
Choose Evanston if you prioritize community, education, and financial sanity, and you can handle the cold.
It’s not just a choice of cities; it’s a choice of what you value most. Where do you see yourself in 5 years—watching the sunset over the Pacific, or walking to a world-class university on a crisp fall day?