Why Remote Workers Land in These Two Areas
Evanston and Lakeview both come up constantly with remote workers relocating to Chicago, for different reasons. Evanston offers a suburb-adjacent feel with a walkable downtown and quick train access to the city. Lakeview is fully urban, dense, and packed with the kind of daily amenities that make working from home easier: coffee shops, gyms, and a large enough population that home offices and co-working options are everywhere.
Neither is the "better" choice in general. It depends on what your remote work setup actually needs day to day.
Evanston vs. Lakeview: The Basics
Evanston | Lakeview | |
|---|---|---|
Median home price | $392,000–$427,000 (Redfin, May 2026) | $520,000 overall, $375,000 for condos (Redfin, March 2026) |
Feel | Suburban downtown, walkable core, quieter residential streets | Dense, urban, high-energy North Side neighborhood |
Commute to the Loop | Metra and CTA Purple Line, roughly 20-30 minutes | CTA Red Line and buses, roughly 15-25 minutes |
Remote work population | Data not broken out separately for Evanston | 37.3% of residents work from home, population 102,827 (CMAP Community Data Snapshot, 2020-2024 ACS estimates) |
What Each Place Is Actually Like for Remote Work
Lakeview has a genuinely large share of residents working from home, 37.3% based on recent Census estimates, which shows up in daily life: plenty of coffee shops and co-working spots that expect laptop workers, and a dense enough population that you're rarely far from groceries, gyms, or a change of scenery during the workday.
Evanston trades some of that density for more space and a quieter setting. Its downtown has a solid concentration of cafes and services within walking distance of the train, and many remote workers who want a home office with more room, or who want easier access to outdoor space, land there instead.
How to Decide
If daily energy, density, and being surrounded by other remote and hybrid workers matters most, Lakeview tends to fit better. If you want more space for a dedicated home office, a quieter street, and still-strong downtown access, Evanston is worth a serious look. Both put you on a direct transit line into the city for the days you do need to go in.
The right call comes down to your specific budget, how much space you need at home, and how much you value density versus quiet. A local agent can walk you through current listings in both areas so you're comparing real options, not just averages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evanston cheaper than Lakeview?
Based on current data, Evanston's median home price runs somewhat lower than Lakeview's overall median, though Lakeview's condo-specific median is closer to Evanston's range. Property type and specific location within each area affect this more than the broad averages do.
Which is better for someone who works from home full-time?
Both work well for remote work, just differently. Lakeview offers more density and a larger population of other remote workers, useful for coffee shops, co-working spots, and quick errands. Evanston offers more space and a quieter setting, with a still-solid walkable downtown.
How long is the commute into downtown Chicago from each?
From Lakeview, the CTA Red Line and buses generally get you downtown in roughly 15 to 25 minutes. From Evanston, Metra and the CTA Purple Line typically run 20 to 30 minutes into the Loop.
Do I need a car in either neighborhood?
Not for daily life in either. Both have walkable cores and strong transit access, though many residents in both areas keep a car for trips outside the immediate area.
