How much does it cost to rent in Evanston, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Evanston, IL is $2,562. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Evanston cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Evanston is one of the pricier cities in Illinois, ranking #11 out of 142 cities tracked at $2,562/mo.

When was Evanston rent data last updated?

Evanston rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IL

Evanston

Name: Average Rent Prices in Evanston, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 76,340·11th most expensive in Illinois·Evanston rents are up 14.4% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,562/mo

Year-over-Year

+14.4%

Month-over-Month

-0.3%

vs US Median

+$597

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Evanston · $2,562

More expensive than 81% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

35/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% above what Evanston's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,562/mo

Expected by trend

$2,384/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Evanston's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,855

1 BR

$1,985

2 BR

$2,240

3 BR

$2,875

4 BR+

$3,380

Research median

$2,240/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$30,744/yr

At $2,562/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 14.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+14.4% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Evanston, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 69.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

76,340

Median income

$96,434

Median age

38.4

Renters

43.8%

Age distribution

17.9%

28.5%

22.8%

12.3%

18.5%

Under 1817.9%

18–3428.5%

35–5422.8%

55–6412.3%

65+18.5%

Gender

48.3%

51.7%

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

Race & ethnicity

60%

14.4%

12.3%

White60%

Black14.4%

Hispanic12.3%

Asian9.4%

Other3.8%

Education (25+)

16.2%

69.5%

No HS diploma3.5%

HS diploma10.9%

Some college16.2%

Bachelor's+69.5%

Housing tenure

56.2%

43.8%

Owner56.2%

Renter43.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Evanston, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,763 → $2,562

up 45.3%

Income

$87,345 → $96,434

up 10.4%

Population

78,454 → 76,340

down 2.7%

Renter share

43.6% → 43.8%

+0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

68.3% → 69.5%

+1.2 pts

Median age

36.6 → 38.4

+1.8 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Evanston, IL has shifted from $1,763 to $2,562, up 45.3% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Evanston, IL now reports about $96,434, up from $87,345 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Evanston, IL losing about 2,114 residents over the five-year window, down 2.7% on net. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Evanston, IL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Evanston

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View Evanston rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Evanston on your salary?

At $2,562/mo, how Evanston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 31.9% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 44.9% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 39% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 21.8% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 17.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 48% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 53.1% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 43.1% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Evanston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Evanston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Evanston

About renting in Evanston, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Evanston is $2,562/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,855/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,240/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,985/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,875/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($96,434/yr), Evanston ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Evanston an affordable city for renters?

Evanston is considered moderate for renters. At $2,562/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($96,434/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Evanston slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Evanston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $102,000/year (~$49/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,562/mo in Evanston. The local median household income is $96,434/yr, meaning the typical Evanston household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Evanston?

Rent in Evanston has increased 14.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Evanston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Evanston are 60202 ($2,204/mo), and 60201 ($2,801/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Evanston is $2,562/mo.

How does Evanston rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Evanston is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #11 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,562/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Evanston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Evanston ($2,562/mo): Niles ($2,160/mo), Skokie ($2,250/mo), Morton Grove ($2,483/mo).

What percentage of Evanston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.8% of Evanston households are renters, while 56.2% are owner-occupied. Evanston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Evanston rent compare to the national average?

Evanston's median rent of $2,562/mo is $597 (30%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #11 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $2,562/mo, rent takes ~32% of Evanston's median household income ($96,434/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Evanston 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Evanston affordability calculator →

Nearby cities