Evanston, Illinois Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 30, 2023

Evanston Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.5
  • Competition

    7.0
  • Real Estate Cost

    7.4
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    6.5
  • Rental Rates

    5.2

Evanston, Illinois Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
78,110
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
May to September
County
Cook
Airports
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Midway International Airport (MDW)
Review our Evanston Illinois short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Evanston?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Evanston rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Evanston rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Evanston.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Evanston Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Evanston guests.

Interested in other Illinois cities?

Check out the Illinois Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Evanston a great place to invest?

Evanston, Illinois, located just north of Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan, is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and suburban living, making it an ideal location for investing in short-term rentals.
  • Proximity to Chicago: Evanston is just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, making it a convenient base for visitors who want to explore the Windy City while staying in a quieter, more relaxed environment. With easy access to public transportation, guests can enjoy the best of both worlds.
  • Educational Institutions: Home to the prestigious Northwestern University, Evanston attracts students, academics, and visitors from around the world. This creates a steady demand for short-term rentals throughout the year.
  • Beautiful Beaches: Evanston boasts several beautiful beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline. During the summer months, these beaches are a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking to relax, swim, and enjoy water sports.
  • Diverse Dining Options: Evanston is known for its diverse and delicious dining options. From gourmet restaurants to casual cafes, the city offers a wide variety of culinary experiences that attract food lovers from near and far.
  • Rich History and Architecture: Evanston has a rich history and is home to many well-preserved historic buildings and landmarks. Visitors often enjoy exploring the city's architectural treasures, which include the Charles Gates Dawes House, the Frances Willard House Museum, and the Northwestern University campus.

Evanston Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Evanston?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Evanston has increased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $246, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$381,304

0% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$246

2% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,764

7% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Evanston, Illinois

Word Cloud for Evanston, Illinois Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Evanston short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Evanston has a description approximately 1,485 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 1,653 listings in Evanston, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Chicago, Place, City, Block, Comfortable, Walking, Downtown, Beautiful, Spacious, and Easy.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Evanston?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Evanston involve Museums, the City Centre, Adventure Activities, Outlet Shopping, and the Health Spa. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Museums

City Centre

Adventure Activities

Outlet Shopping

Health Spa

Cycling

Beach

Zoo

Swimming

Boating

Antiquing

Marina

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Evanston, including Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, Art Institute of Chicago, and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Allstate Arena

Included on 80% of listings

Regional Landmark

Rosemont Theatre

Included on 80% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Included on 69% of listings

Regional Landmark

Rivers Casino

Included on 67% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Northwestern University

Included on 66% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Loyola University Chicago

Included on 65% of listings

Regional Landmark

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Included on 58% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Wrigley Field

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Willis Tower

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Millennium Park

Included on 56% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Art Institute of Chicago

Included on 55% of listings

Regional Landmark

Water Tower Place

Included on 53% of listings

What’s the weather like in Evanston, Illinois?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 44°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 30 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Evanston are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

24° Low 36° High

Precipitation
3.4"
Snowfall
9.4"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
58%

Spring

March through May

43° Low 57° High

Precipitation
8.1"
Snowfall
1.7"
Muggy Days
0.7 days
Cloudiness
53%

Summer

June through August

66° Low 80° High

Precipitation
10.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
30.1 days
Cloudiness
38%

Fall

September through November

45° Low 61° High

Precipitation
8.1"
Snowfall
1.4"
Muggy Days
4.9 days
Cloudiness
42%