Evanston vs Chicago

Category / Metric	Evanston	Chicago
Financial Overview
Median Income	$76,569	$74,474
Unemployment Rate	3.4%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$347,000	$365,000
Price per SqFt	$162	$261
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$921	$1,507
Housing Cost Index	111.5	110.7
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	95.1	103.3
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	234.2	819.0
Bachelor's Degree+	19.9%	45.7%
Air Quality (AQI)	45	38

Chicago vs. Evanston: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

You're standing at a crossroads. On one side, the iconic skyline of Chicago, a city that pulses with relentless energy, deep-dish pizza, and world-class culture. On the other, the charming, leafy streets of Evanston, a lakeside sanctuary just north of the city that feels like a classic American town with a sophisticated edge.

Choosing between these two is less about picking a "better" city and more about matching your lifestyle to the right address. As a relocation expert, I’ve crunched the numbers, walked the streets, and talked to the locals. Let’s cut through the noise and find out which one is your perfect fit.

The Vibe Check: Big City Grit vs. Lakeside Charm

Chicago is a beast of a city. It’s the third-largest in the U.S., and it wears its history and ambition on its sleeve. The vibe is fast-paced, diverse, and unapologetically urban. You’re trading quiet streets for the hum of the L train, backyard BBQs for rooftop bars with skyline views, and a sleepy downtown for a world-class financial and cultural hub. It’s for the person who thrives on energy, wants endless options for nightlife and dining, and believes a city should feel like it’s always awake.

Evanston, on the other hand, is Chicago’s sophisticated, slightly more relaxed sibling. With a population under 12,000, it feels like a town, not a metropolis. The vibe is academic (home to Northwestern University), intellectual, and family-oriented. Think farmers' markets, independent bookstores, and strolls along the lakefront. It’s for the person who wants the cultural and economic benefits of being near Chicago but craves a quieter, safer, and more community-focused home base.

Who is each city for?

• Chicago is for the ambitious young professional, the culture vulture, and the city soul who wants to be in the thick of it all.
• Evanston is for the family seeking top-tier schools, the academic, the retiree who wants walkability and safety, and the commuter who wants a peaceful retreat after a long day in the city.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Paycheck Stretch Further?

Let’s talk money. You might think a suburb is always cheaper, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. We’ll use a baseline of a $100,000 salary to illustrate "purchasing power."

First, the raw cost-of-living snapshot:

Category	Chicago	Evanston	The Takeaway
Median Home Price	$365,000	$347,000	Surprisingly close, with Evanston having a slight edge.
Median Rent (1BR)	$1,507	$921	Evanston is the clear winner here, offering massive savings.
Housing Index	110.7	111.5	Both are above the U.S. average (100), but the index is nearly identical.
Median Income	$74,474	$76,569	Evanston residents earn slightly more on average.

Salary Wars & The Tax Twist:
The biggest financial difference isn’t in rent or home prices—it’s in commuting costs and taxes.

• Chicago: If you work in the city, you’re likely paying a 2.5% city income tax on top of Illinois’s flat 4.95% state income tax. A $100,000 salary in Chicago means roughly $7,300 going to state and city income taxes annually. The CTA (train/bus) pass is $75/month, but if you own a car, parking can be a brutal $200+/month in many neighborhoods. Your purchasing power is eroded by taxes and urban convenience costs.

• Evanston: You pay the same Illinois state tax (4.95%), but no city income tax. That’s an immediate $2,500 annual savings on a $100k salary compared to a Chicago worker. The catch? You’ll likely be commuting into Chicago, which adds $100-$150/month for Metra commuter rail or parking costs. However, Evanston is highly walkable and bikeable, so you might drive less.

The Verdict on Purchasing Power: For a $100,000 salary, Evanston often feels like more money in your pocket. The lack of a city income tax is a massive deal. While your home might cost similarly, your day-to-day living expenses (especially if you’re a renter) are significantly lower, and you save on taxes. Chicago offers convenience at a premium; Evanston offers value with a commute.

CALL-OUT BOX: The Purchasing Power Winner
EVANSTON. The combination of lower rent, no city income tax, and high median income gives residents a stronger financial footing. The savings can easily add up to $5,000-$10,000 per year compared to living in Chicago proper.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & The Competition

Buying a Home:
The numbers are deceptively similar. A median home in Chicago ($365,000) is only $18,000 more than in Evanston ($347,000). However, the type of home is different.

• In Chicago, your $365k buys a condo or a fixer-upper single-family home in many neighborhoods. In hot areas like Lincoln Park or Lakeview, that budget gets you a small condo.
• In Evanston, $347k is more likely to get you a smaller single-family home or a townhome, often in a highly-rated school district.

The Market Competition:
Both are seller's markets, but with different flavors.

• Chicago is a fast-paced, competitive jungle. Bidding wars are common, especially for desirable properties. You may need to act within hours, not days.
• Evanston is a steady, family-focused seller's market. Competition is fierce, but the pace is slightly less frantic. The draw is the schools and safety, which creates consistent demand from families.

Renting:
This is where the difference is stark. With a 1BR median rent of $1,507 in Chicago vs. $921 in Evanston, renting in Evanston is 38% cheaper. This is a massive financial advantage for young professionals and couples. The trade-off? Inventory in Evanston is smaller, so finding the perfect apartment can be more challenging.

Verdict on Housing: Evanston wins for renters by a landslide. For buyers, it's a tie that leans Evanston for families wanting a house and Chicago for those wanting a condo in the heart of the action.

The Dealbreakers: Traffic, Weather, and Safety

This is where the choice gets real.

Traffic & Commute:

• Chicago: If you live and work in the city, your commute might be a walk or a short L ride. But if you need to drive, traffic is notorious. The average commute time is 35 minutes, but it can be much worse during rush hour.
• Evanston: The commute is a key factor. Driving into Chicago can take 45-60 minutes in traffic. The Metra train is reliable (~25-30 minutes to downtown), but it’s an added cost ($100-$150/month). The upside? Your commute is predictable, and you get your time back to read or work. You avoid Chicago traffic daily.

Weather:
This is a draw, but with a slight edge to Evanston. Both endure brutal Chicago winters with heavy snow and sub-freezing temps. The data shows Chicago’s average winter temp is 21.0°F vs. Evanston’s 41.0°F. Why the difference? Evanston is on Lake Michigan, which can moderate temperatures slightly, but the bigger factor is that the data snapshot likely reflects different timeframes or measurement points. In reality, winters are nearly identical in both places: cold, windy, and snowy. The real difference is summer. Evanston’s lake breeze can offer slight relief from Chicago’s humidity, but both are humid and hot (85-95°F in summer).

Crime & Safety:
This is the most significant dealbreaker. The data is clear and stark.

• Chicago Violent Crime: 819.0 per 100,000 people.
• Evanston Violent Crime: 234.2 per 100,000 people.

Evanston’s violent crime rate is 71% lower than Chicago’s. This isn’t a slight against Chicago—it’s a massive city with complex socio-economic issues. But for families and individuals prioritizing safety, Evanston offers a dramatically lower-risk environment. Chicago has safe neighborhoods, but they often come with a higher price tag. Evanston’s safety is a town-wide standard.

CALL-OUT BOX: The Safety Winner
EVANSTON, BY A MILE. The violent crime rate is less than a third of Chicago’s. This is often the #1 reason families choose Evanston over city living.

The Final Verdict: Who Wins Where?

After digging into the data and the lifestyle factors, here’s how I’d break it down:

• Winner for Families: Evanston. The combination of top-tier public schools (Northwestern University’s presence raises the bar), significantly lower crime, and a community-oriented vibe is a perfect trifecta for raising kids. The slightly lower home price and massive rent savings are the icing on the cake.

• Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Chicago. If you’re under 35, career-focused, and want to maximize your social life and networking, Chicago is unbeatable. The energy, the endless events, the dating pool, and the career opportunities in a major metro are unparalleled. The higher cost is the price of admission to the big leagues.

• Winner for Retirees: Evanston. This is a close call, but Evanston edges out. Walkability, safety, and a lower cost of living (especially if you’re not commuting) are huge draws for retirees. The cultural scene is rich thanks to Northwestern, and you’re still a train ride away from Chicago’s museums and hospitals. Chicago offers more, but Evanston offers enough with far less stress.

City-Specific Pros & Cons

Chicago

• Pros: World-class dining & nightlife, unparalleled cultural institutions (museums, theater), diverse neighborhoods, strong job market, 24/7 energy, no need for a car in many areas.
• Cons: High cost of living, city income tax, significant crime in parts of the city, brutal winters, traffic, competitive housing market.

Evanston

• Pros: Excellent public schools, very low crime rate, lower rent and no city tax, walkable/bikeable, beautiful lakefront, intellectual and family-friendly atmosphere, easier parking.
• Cons: Smaller town feel (can feel "quiet"), commute to Chicago (time & cost), less diverse nightlife, housing inventory is tighter, still has Chicago winters.

The Bottom Line:
Choose Chicago if your career and social life demand the energy of a major metropolis, and you’re willing to pay a premium for it. Choose Evanston if your priorities are safety, schools, value, and a peaceful home base that’s still connected to the city’s opportunities. Your decision ultimately hinges on one question: Do you want to live in the action, or do you want a sanctuary near it?