Cost of Living in Evanston, IL - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,205 (excluding rent), and $2,524 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,691 (excluding rent), and $6,143 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.34 $20.34

$11.90 $11.90

$24.80 $24.80

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.3 $80.3

$50.2 $50.2

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.84 $11.84

$9.86 $9.86

$14.80 $14.80

Cappuccino

$5.35 $5.35

$3.98 $3.98

$7.32 $7.32

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.95 $1.95

$3.41 $3.41

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.54 $1.54

$3.08 $3.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.79 $6.79

$3.88 $3.88

$7.77 $7.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.91 $6.91

$4.94 $4.94

$7.90 $7.90

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.70 $0.70

$1.30 $1.30

White Bread (500g)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.01 $2.01

$5.92 $5.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.30 $5.30

$2.21 $2.21

$6.69 $6.69

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$1.97 $1.97

$6.88 $6.88

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.85 $13.85

$8.80 $8.80

$19.79 $19.79

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.09 $13.09

$5.80 $5.80

$19.51 $19.51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.88 $18.88

$7.60 $7.60

$21.71 $21.71

Apples (1kg)

$4.42 $4.42

$2.19 $2.19

$8.74 $8.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.09 $1.09

$2.42 $2.42

Oranges (1kg)

$4.28 $4.28

$1.51 $1.51

$8.77 $8.77

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$2.13 $2.13

$6.87 $6.87

Potato (1kg)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.08 $1.08

$3.44 $3.44

Onion (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.08 $1.08

$4.32 $4.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.08 $1.08

$2.06 $2.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$2.95 $2.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.19 $10.19

$8.15 $8.15

$12.22 $12.22

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$12.27 $12.27

$16.70 $16.70

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.39 $1.39

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 $3.59

$1.72 $1.72

$6.90 $6.90

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.53 $2.53

$3.03 $3.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.8 $73.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.63 $4.63

$5.14 $5.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.60 $41.60

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.70 $0.70

$0.93 $0.93

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.0K $30.0K

$24.0K $24.0K

$30.0K $30.0K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$23.9K $23.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$181 $181

$89.9 $89.9

$344 $344

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.0 $63.0

$35.15 $35.15

$80.3 $80.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.4 $73.4

$43.14 $43.14

$98.1 $98.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$74.5 $74.5

$17.38 $17.38

$74.5 $74.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.3 $59.3

Cinema Ticket

$14.84 $14.84

$12.86 $12.86

$19.79 $19.79

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,661 $1,661

$1,020 $1,020

$1,749 $1,749

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.2K $35.2K

$20.1K $20.1K

$35.2K $35.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.1 $64.1

$39.91 $39.91

$74.8 $74.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.27 $48.27

$29.95 $29.95

$59.9 $59.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$66.3 $66.3

$120 $120

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$132 $132

$74.7 $74.7

$174 $174

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,689 $1,689

$1,546 $1,546

$1,832 $1,832

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,103 $1,103

$1,002 $1,002

$1,504 $1,504

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,074 $4,074

$2,037 $2,037

$4,074 $4,074

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,029 $3,029

$2,729 $2,729

$3,330 $3,330

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$14.3K $14.3K

$3,157 $3,157

$25.4K $25.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$13.1K $13.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,507 $5,507

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

7.3

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Evanston, IL Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Evanston, IL - Frequently Asked Questions

Evanston offers a helpful balance of proximity to Chicago and a quieter residential feel, which many travelers and remote workers value. The Cost of Living in Evanston, IL is higher than some suburbs but often more manageable than central Chicago lakefront areas with premium amenities. You will find a mix of affordable studios and family-sized options, plus a range of cafes and coworking spots that suit different work styles. Seasonality affects your plans for outdoor time and transit demand, but public services and safety standards remain strong. Tip: map neighborhoods by commute, green space, and access to essential services to guide your stay.

Hit the ground running by focusing on factors like lease terms, proximity to Metra or CTA lines, and neighborhood amenities. Start browsing near Downtown Evanston, the north shore, or near the university for easy transit and lively services. Note the Evanston, IL living cost goes beyond rent; factor utilities, internet, and transit passes as part of monthly budgeting. Food runs from local markets to diverse eateries, with plenty of seasonal options. For work, there are coworking spaces, libraries, and quiet coffee shops that suit different rhythms. Tip: visit at different times of day to gauge crowds and noise.

Quality of life in Evanston is defined by lakefront access, a walkable town center, and easy access to Chicago. A practical budgeting framework helps you stretch each dollar: try a 50/30/20 approach, or envelope budgeting for groceries and leisure. Neighborhood fit varies: central and northwest zones near the lake are lively, while farther pockets feel quieter and more residential. Save by cooking at home, shopping at farmers markets, and using bikes or legible transit routes. Plan for seasonality in heating and gear, and pick a neighborhood that matches your pace and social calendar. Tip: keep a short list of musts and revisit it after a month.