Chicago metro, IL relocation guide
Moving to Evanston, IL
$449,450Median listing price
Chicago metro, ILArea
Commuter-friendlyCommute profile
About Evanston
Evanston (~75,000) is the North Shore's urban anchor and home to Northwestern University — a city in its own right with a real downtown, lakefront beaches, and neighborhoods ranging from historic mansions to student rentals. Housing spans lakefront condos, vintage apartments, and single-family streets; prices run well above the metro median near the lake.
Home prices in Evanston
The median listing price in Evanston is $449,450.
Top places in Evanston
- Downtown Evanston
- Northwestern University campus
- Evanston's lakefront beaches
- Fountain Square
- Grosse Point Lighthouse.
- Evanston's theater and arts scene (Candlelight, Piccolo Theatre).
- Central Street and Main Street neighborhood business districts.
- The lakefront trail for biking and running.
Commuting from Evanston
- Metra Union Pacific North Line; in-town stations: Main Street, Davis Street, and Central Street.
- CTA Purple Line (express to the Loop during rush hours).
- Typical Metra trip to Ogilvie: approximately 25–35 minutes (approximate); Purple Line to the Loop: approximately 45–60 minutes (approximate).
- Approximate drive to downtown Chicago: ~30–50 minutes (approximate; via Lake Shore Drive/I-94, traffic-dependent).
Evanston FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Evanston, IL?
The median listing price in Evanston is $449,450. Median listing price · Realtor.com · September 24, 2026 - How is the commute from Evanston, IL?
Metra Union Pacific North Line; in-town stations: Main Street, Davis Street, and Central Street.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.