Champaign vs Evansville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Evansville
The Verdict
Living in Evansville costs 1.3% less than Champaign. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $74,074 in Evansville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $74,074 in Evansville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $75,938 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Evansville
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $170,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $451/month in Evansville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $420 in Evansville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 105 in Evansville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $60,750 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,134/month in Evansville. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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