salaryRent is higher than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 69.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $85,880 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 291 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Evanston?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Evanston
| Size | Evanston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,528 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,686 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,029 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,302 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Evanston overall?
Everyday prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Evanston
Life in Evanston
What jobs pay in Evanston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $165,660 | 15.6% |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | 18.3% |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | 19.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | 19.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | 20.1% |
| Operations Manager | $109,390 | 23.6% |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | 23.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | 24.9% |
| Plumber | $103,380 | 24.9% |
| Electrician | $102,350 | 25.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | 25.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | 25.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | 25.7% |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | 31.1% |
| Accountant | $82,360 | 31.3% |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | 32.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | 32.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | 32.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,070 | 33.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | 33.0% |
| Truck Driver | $62,300 | 41.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | 54.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,100 | 54.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | 54.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,550 | 63.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,930 | 66.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,820 | 71.9% |
| Cashier | $35,010 | 73.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 82.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Evanston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,192 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $481,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,120 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Evanston, IL?
Renting in Evanston costs a median of about $2,147 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Evanston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $85,880 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Evanston cheap or expensive?
Evanston is rated OK: rent takes 24.8% of the typical household income of $104,004. It ranks 291st cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Evanston?
The median homeowner in Evanston pays $8,863 a year in property taxes, about 1.84% of the median home value.
Is Evanston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Evanston?
The median home value in Evanston is $481,200, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
76,340 people live in Evanston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.