Evanston, IL vs Irvine, 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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 44). Evanston leads in cost of living index (131 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $93,188).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Evanston, IL | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.7 (#562) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 75,070 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $494,604 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $93,188 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 29 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+2.6 |
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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →