Studio Apartment Rent in Evanston, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Evanston, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $2,562 and +44% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Evanston
Compare Evanston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixon | $610 |
| 2 | Rantoul | $638 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $700 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 9 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Evanston.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Evanston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmette, IL | 3.2 mi | $2,100 | +$245 (+13%) |
| Skokie, IL | 3.8 mi | $1,535 | $-320 (-17%) |
| Morton Grove, IL | 6.9 mi | $2,190 | +$335 (+18%) |
| Glenview, IL | 9.4 mi | $1,720 | $-135 (-7%) |
| Chicago, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,595 | $-260 (-14%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,380 | $-475 (-26%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 12.2 mi | $1,960 | +$105 (+6%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 12.7 mi | $2,060 | +$205 (+11%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 13 mi | $1,683 | $-172 (-9%) |
| Des Plaines, IL | 14.3 mi | $1,370 | $-485 (-26%) |
| Cicero, IL | 15 mi | $1,210 | $-645 (-35%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 15.1 mi | $1,370 | $-485 (-26%) |
Studio rent in Evanston — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Evanston?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Evanston, Illinois is $1,855 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $2,562.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Evanston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $74,200 ($6,183/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.67/hour at a full-time job.
Is Evanston expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Evanston's studio median of $1,855 is +44% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 83th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Evanston rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Evanston ranks #123 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Evanston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Skokie ($1,535), Glenview ($1,720), Chicago ($1,595).