2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Evanston, IL vs Columbia, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Columbia older or younger than people in Evanston?
- The Median Age in Columbia is 8.4 years younger than in Evanston.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbia or Evanston?
- Columbia housing costs are 52.0% less expensive than Evanston housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbia or Evanston?
- The average commute for residents of Columbia is 15.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Evanston.

Things to do in Evanston?
Evanston, Illinois is a vibrant city located in the Northeastern region of the United States. Home to attractions such as Northwestern University and Chicago Botanic Garden, visitors can explore outdoor activities and educational sites when visiting Evanston. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, and performance venues such as the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and Piven Theatre Works. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Evanston has something for everyone!

Things to do in Columbia?
Columbia, South Carolina is the state's vibrant capital city. Nestled in the Midlands area of the state, it offers plenty of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. From its popular Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to its nearby lakes and rivers, there are plenty of outdoor activities available to explore. Inside the city limits, you can find museums, a bustling downtown area with restaurants and shops, great schools and universities, and more. With its colorful history and unique culture, Columbia is sure to offer something for everyone.

 Evanston, ILColumbia, SCUnited States
 Population  Unlock137,276329,725,481
 Median Income$87,345  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock28.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$424,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time30.84  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Evanston    20 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

be sure to take pictures of where you park... Full-scale parking scam going on in this town. They purposely obscure self-pay parking signs. Nine out of 10 visitors  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here for two years for school. Terrible place for students. Northwestern is a great school/campus, but the city itself is NOT student friendly. Everything  More

   |    Reply

Aside from everything else mentioned on this site about the bad aspects of Evanston - bot be overlooked is the NOISE. The People's Republic of Evanston CATERS to the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Evanston

Reviews for Columbia    50 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I love living in Columbia! I recently graduated from USC and plan to stay. I read the reviews posted here and it shows that like many cities, your experience will depend  More

   |    Reply

Loved living in Columbia, SC prior to my job transfer. It's the perfect size - plenty to do, but still a laid back place. People are extremely friendly, there are  More

   |    Reply

Columbia is such a unique and underrated place. It has a lot of character and history, and good nature trails. Everything feels accessible (by car) and you can get from  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbia


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.