F
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
101%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Evanston Illinois National
Cost of living13396100
Goods & Services10797100
Groceries10498100
Health care10895100
Housing20195100
Transportation107103100
Utilities8989100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Evanston, IL

Understanding the cost of living in Evanston can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Evanston cost of living index is 133, which is 33% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Evanston may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Evanston falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Evanston, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 100.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Evanston?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Evanston. The results indicated that 67% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 33% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Evanston Affordable?

Is Evanston affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Evanston, for instance, where the median home price falls 121.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 51% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Evanston flaunting a median household income of $82,335, 48.8% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Evanston?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Evanston, the groceries index is 3.5% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Evanston, the housing index stands at 100.7% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Evanston displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Evanston is 38% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Evanston is 33% higher than the national average
  • Evanston housing is 101% higher than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Evanston

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Compare Evanston, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$126,754$10,563$2,957$3,803
      Renters$50,938$4,245$1,188$1,528
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Evanston, IL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Evanston have a median income of $126,754. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,957 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $50,938, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,188.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.69$24.2638.9%
      Beauty Salon $53.44$45.5617.3%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.281.1%
      Movie $17.91$12.1347.6%
      Bowling $24.58$18.0036.6%

      Groceries

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.28$5.849.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.7%
      Milk $4.87$4.674.3%
      Potatoes $4.90$4.930.7%
      Pizza $13.41$12.0910.9%
      Beer $10.00$10.414.0%

      Health Care

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.27$125.685.9%
      Doctor $167.67$135.7823.5%
      Dentist $128.22$113.2913.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.97$10.652.9%
      Lipitor $382.34$468.6018.4%

      Housing

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      Home Price $409,900.00$184,700.00121.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,578.06$2,346.699.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,433.00$949.0051.0%

      Transportation

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.56$3.462.7%
      Tire Balancing $70.87$59.9218.3%

      Utilities

      Item Evanston National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.58$193.9923.4%
      Phone $210.03$192.259.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Maywood, IL23,3511000.0%
      Bellwood, IL18,7991011.0%
      Broadview, IL7,6771011.1%
      Cicero, IL81,4711021.6%
      Stone Park, IL4,8421022.2%
      Evanston, IL73,97913332.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Appleton, WI73,891936.9%
      Camden, NJ73,742919.1%
      Centreville, VA74,23014443.5%
      Sault Ste. Marie, ON74,249n/a 
      South Jordan, UT73,69513535.4%
      Evanston, IL73,97913332.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.