Evanston

Evanston, Illinois Overview

With a composite score of 59.2/100 and a B+ grade, Evanston ranks #5 of 20 cities in Illinois. Its strongest showing is in Transportation (84/100), while Outdoor Access (6/100) represents its largest gap.

Income & Employment in Evanston

Households in Evanston earn a median of $97,085 — 24% above the state median — but the 4.6% unemployment rate sits above the statewide 4.6%, suggesting the job market doesn’t match the income figures.

Safety in Evanston

At 168 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Evanston sits meaningfully below the Illinois average of 393 — a 134% lower gap. The property crime rate is 3159.4 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Evanston

Evanston has a cost of living index of 102.6 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly above the national benchmark. The median home value is $472,300. Median monthly rent is $1,698. Renters spend 21.0% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Evanston

Evanston’s adult obesity rate of 26.3% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.6%. Residents average 14.2 poor mental health days per month. Illinois ranks #21 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Evanston

The student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $29,610 per student, well above the national median. The city has 16 public schools serving 9,606 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Evanston

The annual average temperature in Evanston is 51.5°F. Summers average 69.8°F. Winters average 34°F. Annual precipitation is 39.6 inches. 22.8% of workers in Evanston work from home, well above the national average. 15.3% of commuters use public transit.

Frequently Asked Questions