City Comparison
Evanston vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
116% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Evanston | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,200 | +116% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,110 | +70% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Evanston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 265 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 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 | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Evanston.
From a growth perspective, Evanston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evanston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
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
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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