City Comparison
Naperville vs Evanston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Evanston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Naperville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
25% lower than Evanston's.
| Metric | Naperville | Evanston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,591 | -25% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $3,591 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Naperville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $65,000 in Evanston.
| Metric | Naperville | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 63,934 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $96,434 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 81.20°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 18.50°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 31.20 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 28.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 254 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Evanston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Naperville.
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 | Naperville | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 78.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 82.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Evanston.
From a growth perspective, Naperville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Naperville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Naperville | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 76,340 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Naperville and Evanston.
Open Cost Calculator