Living in Evanston, IL
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Evanston, IL? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Evanston, IL

Evanston, IL, is the perfect suburb for people who think they don’t want to live in the suburbs. With classic architecture, arts venues, a fantastic food scene and loads of outdoor recreation, Evanston offers the best of city life within a relaxed suburban community. With Northwestern University – one of the top colleges in the U.S. – at its core, the city draws an intellectual crowd. And yet, with so many fun amenities, this city of just over 78,000 offers something for everyone. So it’s no wonder that Evanston is becoming known as one of the top places to live in the U.S.

Sitting just 13 miles north of the Windy City, Evanston is a large suburb where the cost of living is more affordable than in Chicago, but it’s still easy to commute to one of the country’s most bustling cities. Residents can also access several metro and bus connections, making commuting convenient. Its location also offers a unique position along the coast of Lake Michigan, which means when the warm weather hits, this city has five gorgeous beaches to enjoy. While the university’s traditional brick-and-stone architecture and surrounding areas are stunning, so are the 76 parks that offer accessible outdoor recreation.

Although taking the metro into Chicago for dinner is convenient, foodies don’t need to leave the community to find a great meal. Food options range from casual joints to chic restaurants. Arts and culture are easily accessible in this college town. Besides offerings on the Northwestern campus, there are fantastic music venues all over Evanston. The city has nine distinct business districts, too, and the downtown area hosts fun community events and has numerous cool shops for anything you might want or need. The community is also working to be more inclusive and offers many ways to get involved at the local level, helping people feel more connected to their city.

Top Reasons to Move to Evanston

• Home to Northwestern University, Evanston is a classic college town with Big Ten athletics and abundant arts and culture.
• Commuting to Chicago is a breeze thanks to excellent transit options and extensive access to the CTA L line and Metra trains.
• Evanston is a natural fit for outdoor enthusiasts, with Lake Michigan’s shoreline in the city’s backyard.
• Education is a priority in Evanston, with Evanston Township High School being among the best schools in the state. 

Evanston is a charming city just north of Chicago, right on the shores of Lake Michigan. The area offers a college-town feel with big-city thrills nearby. Interstate 94 provides quick commutes, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is just 15 miles away. Ready to roam? Here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Chicago is just 15 miles south, where you can cruise the river to admire architecture, visit the Art Institute or root for the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
• Skokie sits 5 miles west, offering the Illinois Holocaust Museum, Northshore Sculpture Park and Harms Woods.
• Waukegan is about 25 miles north, boasting the Genesee Theatre, Waukegan Harbor and Illinois Beach State Park.

The area has a comfortable climate year-round. Summers are warm but not unbearably hot, perfect for enjoying the beaches of Lake Michigan. Winters are cold and snowy, and locals enjoy sledding among the dunes.

Because this is the first suburb you find north of the city, which is easily accessible by the Chicago Transit Authority, it’s inarguably a solid home base for those who want to save a little money and are planning to commute downtown for work. But it’s worth noting that Evanston presents plenty of jobs in industries like education, health care and research, as well as retail and professional services in the vibrant downtown district. Major employers in Evanston include Northwestern University, NorthShore University HealthSystem and the Evanston-Skokie School District. Additionally, Rotary International’s world headquarters are located here. 

The cost of living in Evanston is above the national average. The median home value in Evanston is $429,398, and the average household income is $99,756.

Illinois has a state income tax. In 2026, the combined sales tax rate in Evanston is 10.25%.

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Evanston offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions and plenty of community events to keep residents entertained year-round. History buffs can delve into the past at the Evanston History Center, housed in the chateau-style Charles Gates Dawes House, or explore the collections at the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum. Art lovers can immerse themselves in diverse exhibitions at The Block Museum of Art and the Evanston Art Center. At the same time, shoppers can peruse the unique boutiques and specialty shops in the area’s distinct shopping districts, including Downtown Evanston, Central Street Evanston and Main-Dempster Mile.

The local event calendar is full of fun festivals, street fairs and concerts to keep everyone entertained. The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market is held from May to November, and the annual arts celebration, Art in the Park, is a beloved tradition. Residents can also enjoy live performances at various venues. 

Enjoying the outdoors here is easy, with a wealth of activities primarily centered around the Lake Michigan shoreline. Residents can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and picnicking at several public beaches, including Clark Street Beach and Lighthouse Beach. The scenic Lakefront Trail provides opportunities for walking, jogging and biking with views of the Chicago skyline. Parks like Dawes Park, with its lagoon and open spaces, and the Ladd Arboretum, featuring many plant species and nature trails, offer serene escapes and recreational spaces. The Grosse Point Lighthouse stands as a historic landmark along the shoreline.

Beyond the lakefront, Evanston offers plenty of outdoor experiences on dry land, including exploring the Emily Oaks Nature Center, visiting the Merrick Rose Garden, and biking the Skokie Lagoons North Loop. During warmer months, outdoor farmers’ markets offer local produce and culture, while winter provides sledding and ice skating opportunities at parks like Arrington Lagoon. Outdoor enthusiasts can also participate in group activities such as hiking, walking and cycling while enjoying the natural beauty.

With nearly 90 cafes and restaurants, the local dining scene features everything from award-winning Italian and Japanese cuisine to French, Asian and American specialties, cementing its reputation as a certified foodie destination. From casual eateries like the Evanston Chicken Shack to flavorful spots like Mt. Everest Restaurant, there is a dining experience for every palate. The brewery scene is equally dynamic, with a burgeoning craft brewery and distillery presence. Despite its history as a dry town until 1972, the city now embraces its brewing culture. Residents can sip ice-cold beers at Peckish Pig or sample whiskey and gin at Few Spirits, Evanston’s first distillery. Double Clutch Brewing Co. also offers tours, tastings and entertainment.

Evanston schools are highly rated and offer plenty of options for families. The city’s districts are broken up into lower and high school districts. The Evanston Community Consolidated School District No. 65 is above average, with over 6,000 students in grades K-8. Nearly 4,000 high school students are served by the Evanston Township High School District No. 202. The district earns top scores in academics, activities, college prep and diversity and is one of the best districts in Illinois. 

There are also several private school options for families here, including religious, nonsectarian and college-preparatory education styles. Roycemore School is an independent college-preparatory school that has earned several accolades from Niche, including being ranked in the top 3 for the best private K-12 schools in Illinois, the best high schools for the arts in Illinois, and the best private high schools in Illinois.