Evanston vs Oak Park: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Evanston is 2% safer. Evanston population: 76,380. Oak Park population: 52,823.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living
Cost of living data is not available for either city. Try the salary calculator for cities with data.
Safety: Evanston vs Oak Park
Evanston is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.2 per 1,000 residents vs Oak Park's 22.6. Evanston earns a B- safety grade compared to Oak Park's B-. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Evanston
Illinois
Oak Park
Illinois
| Metric | Evanston | Oak Park |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 22.2/1K | 22.6/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 453.2 | 402.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1764.3 | 1857.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 5.2 |
| Assault Rate | 385.3 | 266.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 100.0 | 84.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.7 | 268.0 |
| Theft Rate | 1480.7 | 1334.7 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 417.7 | 243.4 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Evanston, you have a 1 in 45 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 44 in Oak Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evanston safer than Oak Park?
Should I move to Evanston or Oak Park?
How big is Evanston compared to Oak Park?
Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
Know before you go
CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.
Explore cities