Evanston, IL vs Oakland, CA
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.
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Evanston leads in cost of living index (131 vs 155). Evanston leads in average commute (29 min vs 32.1 min). Evanston leads in median household income ($93,188 vs $85,459).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Evanston, IL | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.7 (#562) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 75,070 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $494,604 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $93,188 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 29 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+53.6 |
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 →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →