Decatur, IL vs Evanston, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Decatur
79.3
#132 nationally
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Evanston leads in crime level (3.9 vs 16.5). Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 34). Evanston leads in median household income ($93,188 vs $49,039).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Decatur, IL | Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.3 (#132) | 74.7 (#562) |
| Population | 68,670 | 75,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $107,169 | $494,604 |
| Median Household Income | $49,039 | $93,188 |
| Average Commute | 17.7 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 16.5 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 131 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+18.9 | D+42.0 |
C+
79.3 Score
Decatur, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$107,169
Population
68,670
Crime
High
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View Decatur, IL →
C
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →