Albany, CA 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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Evanston leads in cost of living index (131 vs 207). Albany leads in median household income ($124,469 vs $93,188). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 76).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 74.7 (#562) |
| Population | 19,097 | 75,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $494,604 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $93,188 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 29 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 131 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+42.0 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
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 →