City Comparison
Evanston vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Orland Park is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
33% higher than Orland Park's.
| Metric | Evanston | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,950 | +33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $185 | -3% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,925 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Evanston | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Evanston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
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 | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Evanston is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Evanston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evanston | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
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
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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