City Comparison
Evanston vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
136% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Evanston | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,100 | +136% |
| Groceries | $450 | $685 | -34% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,596 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Evanston | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Evanston runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Evanston comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 28 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Evanston.
Evanston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Evanston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evanston | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bloomington is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Evanston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evanston | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evanston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $96,434, significantly higher than the Illinois state average.
Over 72% of Evanston residents hold at least a bachelor's degree, fostering an intellectually vibrant community.
Direct multi-modal transit access via the CTA Purple Line and Metra provides fast commutes into downtown Chicago.
Features five public sandy beaches and 268 acres of parkland along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Recognized as a leading Midwestern startup hub and 'hidden gem' for entrepreneurial ventures.
Drawbacks
The cost of living and median property values are substantially higher than the national average.
Property taxes in Cook County are notoriously high, placing a heavy tax burden on homeowners.
Rental housing is competitive and expensive, heavily driven by the presence of Northwestern University students.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the greater Chicago region.
Street parking can be scarce and strictly regulated, especially in commercial zones and near campus areas.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Evanston
#456Illinois, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,591
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
84
Business
76
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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