Evanston Ranked #13 Best Place to Live in 2026

The City of Evanston has been ranked #13 on Livability.com’s 2026 list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live, up from #17 in 2025, earning national recognition as one of the most vibrant and livable small- to mid-sized communities in the country.

Livability’s annual list highlights cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 that offer the ideal balance of opportunity, affordability, and quality of life. Evanston’s inclusion reflects its continued commitment to being a place where residents can live, work, and thrive.

According to Livability.com, this year’s rankings were developed in partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS), analyzing nearly 100 data points across eight key categories, including economy and housing, amenities and environment, safety, health, education, and transportation.

Evanston stood out for its strong performance in health, amenities, and education, factors that contribute to a high quality of life and make the city an attractive place for residents of all ages.

“This recognition highlights what our community already knows: Evanston is a welcoming, dynamic city with exceptional resources, engaged residents, and a strong sense of place,” said City Manager Luke Stowe. “We are proud to be recognized nationally and remain committed to building a community where everyone can thrive.”

Community members are encouraged to explore Evanston’s full profile and learn more about what makes the city unique by visiting livability.com. To check out all that is going on in Evanston’s ten awesome local business districts, visit enjoyevanston.org.

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About Livability.com
Livability.com highlights the best small- to mid-sized cities across the United States and what makes them great places to live, work, and visit. Through exclusive research and original content, Livability evaluates affordability, amenities, economic opportunity, and more through its annual Top 100 Best Places to Live rankings. Livability is a division of Journal Communications, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee.