1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Evanston, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Evanston, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $2,562 and +42% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Evanston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Evanston
Compare Evanston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $646 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Marion | $780 |
| 10 | Normal | $790 |
| 11 | Carbondale | $800 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Evanston.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Evanston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmette, IL | 3.2 mi | $2,240 | +$255 (+13%) |
| Skokie, IL | 3.8 mi | $1,640 | $-345 (-17%) |
| Morton Grove, IL | 6.9 mi | $2,340 | +$355 (+18%) |
| Glenview, IL | 9.4 mi | $1,840 | $-145 (-7%) |
| Chicago, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,705 | $-280 (-14%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,480 | $-505 (-25%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 12.2 mi | $2,100 | +$115 (+6%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 12.7 mi | $2,210 | +$225 (+11%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 13 mi | $1,797 | $-188 (-9%) |
| Des Plaines, IL | 14.3 mi | $1,465 | $-520 (-26%) |
| Cicero, IL | 15 mi | $1,290 | $-695 (-35%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 15.1 mi | $1,460 | $-525 (-26%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Evanston — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Evanston?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Evanston, Illinois is $1,985 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $2,562.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Evanston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $79,400 ($6,617/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.17/hour at a full-time job.
Is Evanston expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Evanston's 1-bedroom median of $1,985 is +42% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 82th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Evanston rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Evanston ranks #124 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Evanston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Skokie ($1,640), Glenview ($1,840), Chicago ($1,705).