Real Estate Investing in Evanston, Illinois (60203)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Cook County • Population: 4,733 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60203 (Evanston, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Evanston, IL (60203)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $606,723
Avg Monthly Rent $2,151
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $159,922
% Renters 6.2%

Market Analysis: 60203 Evanston

This part of Cook County is not an easy win. The 60203 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $607K asset, 60203 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader IL picture, 60203 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 60203 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 60203 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Evanston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,151/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60203

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$168,852/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $337,705 $2,390 5.1% +5.7% $168,852
3BR $507,391 $3,080 4.4% +6.4% $169,130
4BR $681,821 $3,560 3.8% +6.1% $170,455
5BR $970,716 +7.3% $194,143

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$637K$563K$489K$415K$341K$267KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60203 Compare?

Metric 60203 Evanston Illinois
Home Value $606,723 $399,362 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 5.2% 6.6%
Avg Rent $2,151 $2,359 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 60203? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 60203 (Evanston, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Cook County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

American Property Management of Illinois, Inc. (Associa) provides comprehensive HOA and condominium management services in Chicago and surrounding areas. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Blackhawk Realty Management, LLC provides professional property management and real estate services for its multifamily apartment portfolio, founded in 2004. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Buckingham Property Management, Inc. offers apartment rentals and management services. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $606,723
Monthly Rent $2,151
Price-to-Rent 23.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
3.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60203

Population: 4,733

💰 Median Household Income
$159,922
This area
$159,922
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
76.3%
This area
76.3%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.3 years
This area
43.3 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.1%
Black/African American 8.9%
Other/Mixed 7.2%
Asian 6.8%
Hispanic/Latino 4.0%
👶 Under 18
27.3%
This area
27.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 60203

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$27,942 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Walker Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
412 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$27,942 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Chute Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1400 Oakton St, Evanston
👥
597 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$27,942 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dawes Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 440 Dodge Ave, Evanston
👥
307 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$27,942 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dewey Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1551 Wesley Ave, Evanston
👥
333 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$27,942 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dr ML King Jr Literary&Fine Arts

📚 K – 08 School
📍 2424 Lake St, Evanston
👥
367 Students
👨‍🏫
7.1:1 Class Size
💰
$27,942 Per Student
A+ Excellent

East Prairie Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 7616 E Prairie Rd, Skokie
👥
515 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$27,133 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
C+
Estelle Medical Academy
64 students · 1.7 mi
D
Zen Shiatsu Chicago
95 students · 1.8 mi
C
Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute
121 students · 1.8 mi
A
Northwestern University
23,203 students · 1.9 mi
D
Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-Skokie
39 students · 1.9 mi
C
NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia
75 students · 2.0 mi
C
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
299 students · 2.2 mi
C+
Hebrew Theological College
197 students · 3.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What real estate strategy is ideal for Evanston, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Evanston, IL best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $607K price point.

What is the typical rental rate in Evanston, IL?

Rents in Evanston, IL run near $2,151/mo. Compared with median home prices of $607K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Evanston, IL?

Evanston, IL vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Are homes affordable in Evanston, IL?

Homes in Evanston, IL typically sell near $607K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

What does house hacking look like in Evanston, IL?

Evanston, IL offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,151/mo rent level.

You know 60203 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 60203 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 60203 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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