Evanston vs Wilmette
Two popular IL suburbs of Chicago, side by side. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to families.
School rating
8/10
10/10
Commute to Chicago
36 min
45 min
Median home price
$458K
$930K
Annual property tax
$9K
$20K
Walk score
82
68
Density
urban
suburban
Summary: Evanston leads in 4 of 6 metrics. It edges out on commute to chicago, median home price, annual property tax, walk score. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.
Character & vibe
Evanston
Mini city north of Chicago. Northwestern University energy, diverse, walkable.
artsywalkablecommunity
Wilmette
North Shore village with Wilmette Public Schools (10/10 in our dataset) and Metra UP-North access. Quieter pace than Evanston, lower price point than Winnetka.
quietcommunity
Who should pick which?
Pick Evanston if you...
- ·Want the shortest commute to Chicago
- ·Need to keep your home budget in check
- ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown
- ·Want lower annual property taxes
Pick Wilmette if you...
- ·Prioritize top-rated schools above all else
- ·Drawn to the quiet character
Still deciding?
Burbia scores both Evanston and Wilmette — and every other town in the Chicago Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.
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