Can Northwestern students live in Chicago instead of Evanston?

Yes. Many Northwestern upperclassmen and grad students choose to live in Chicago for the nightlife, dining, and social scene. The Purple Express from Fullerton to Davis takes about 25 minutes.

How long is the commute from Lincoln Park to Northwestern?

From Post Chicago in Lincoln Park, take the CTA Red Line to Fullerton, then transfer to the Purple Express to Evanston-Davis. Total commute is approximately 35-40 minutes door to door.

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago than Evanston?

It depends. Evanston apartments near campus can be pricey. Co-living in Lincoln Park at $1,350/mo all-inclusive is often comparable to or cheaper than a shared Evanston apartment once you add utilities and furnishing costs.

Northwestern Students: Living in Chicago Guide

Why Northwestern Students Choose Chicago Over Evanston

Evanston has the campus, but Chicago has everything else. That trade-off explains why a growing number of Northwestern upperclassmen and graduate students choose to live in the city and commute to campus rather than stay in the college-town bubble north of the border.

The social case is straightforward. Chicago's dining, nightlife, live music, and cultural institutions are not available in Evanston at the same scale. Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and the West Loop have the restaurants, bars, and weekend activities that a 22-to-28-year-old graduate student or upperclassman actually wants access to. Evanston's Davis Street corridor is pleasant, but it is a small-town downtown — not a city.

The professional case is equally strong. Chicago's job market is centered in the Loop, River North, and the West Loop. If you are a graduate student networking for post-graduation roles, attending industry events, or working a part-time position in the city, living in Chicago eliminates the reverse commute entirely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Chicago metropolitan area employs over 4.5 million workers across every major sector — and the vast majority of those employers are south of Howard Street.

For MBA students at Kellogg, JD students at Pritzker, and PhD candidates who spend as much time at off-campus research sites as on campus, living in Chicago is not a compromise. It is a lifestyle upgrade with a manageable commute attached.

How to Commute from Chicago to Northwestern

The commute from Chicago to Northwestern's Evanston campus is more manageable than most students expect. Two reliable transit options connect the city to campus, and both run frequently during academic hours.

35 min

Commute from Lincoln Park to Northwestern campus

CTA Purple Line Express

The CTA Purple Line Express runs during weekday rush hours (approximately 6:00-9:30 AM and 2:30-7:00 PM) from the Loop through Fullerton to Evanston-Davis. From Post Chicago in Lincoln Park, the route is:

Walk 5 minutes to the North/Clybourn Red Line station
Take the Red Line north one stop to Fullerton (3 minutes)
Transfer to the Purple Line Express at Fullerton
Ride to Davis station in Evanston (approximately 25 minutes)

Total door-to-door: 35-40 minutes. During off-peak hours when the Purple Express is not running, take the Red Line to Howard and transfer to the Purple Line local — this adds about 10 minutes.

Metra Union Pacific North Line

The Metra UP-N line runs from Ogilvie Transportation Center downtown through several North Side stops to Evanston-Davis and Evanston-Central. From Lincoln Park, you can reach Ogilvie by CTA or rideshare in 15 minutes, then ride Metra to Evanston in about 20 minutes. This option is best for students who prefer a comfortable, guaranteed seat — Metra trains have more space than CTA — and works well for those with a later class schedule.

Biking (Seasonal)

In warmer months, the Lakefront Trail provides a continuous bike path from Lincoln Park to Evanston. The ride is approximately 12 miles and takes 50-60 minutes, making it a viable option for students who enjoy cycling and have a flexible schedule. Divvy bike share stations are available at both ends.

Best Chicago Neighborhoods for Northwestern Students

Not every Chicago neighborhood makes sense for a Northwestern commuter. The best options balance commute time, social life, and cost.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is the strongest all-around choice for Northwestern students living in Chicago. The Fullerton CTA station provides direct Purple Line Express access to campus, and the neighborhood's mix of restaurants, parks, and nightlife caters to the graduate student and young professional demographic. Post Chicago at 853 W Blackhawk St is a 5-minute walk from the North/Clybourn station and a 10-minute walk from DePaul's campus — useful for Northwestern students taking cross-registered courses or attending events at DePaul.

Rents for traditional one-bedroom apartments in Lincoln Park range from $1,400 to $2,200 per month unfurnished. Co-living at Post Chicago starts at $1,350 per month, fully furnished with utilities included.

Lakeview

Lakeview sits directly north of Lincoln Park and offers slightly lower rents with easy access to the Red and Brown Lines. The Belmont and Diversey stations connect to the Purple Line via transfer at Fullerton. Commute time to Northwestern adds 5-10 minutes compared to Lincoln Park. The neighborhood skews younger and more social, particularly around Wrigleyville, making it popular with Northwestern students who prioritize nightlife.

Edgewater

Edgewater, near the Bryn Mawr and Berwyn Red Line stops, sits further north and closer to Evanston. Rents are 20-30% lower than Lincoln Park. The trade-off is less access to the social scene in central Chicago — you are closer to campus but further from everything that motivated you to live in the city in the first place. Best for students on tight budgets who still want a Chicago address.

For a deeper comparison of Chicago neighborhoods, read the Lincoln Park vs Wicker Park vs Lakeview breakdown.

Cost Comparison: Evanston vs. Chicago Housing

Living in Chicago does not necessarily cost more than staying in Evanston. Once you account for the full picture — furniture, utilities, and transit — the numbers are closer than most students assume.

Expense	Evanston Apartment	Chicago Traditional Apt	Chicago Co-Living (Post)
Monthly Rent	$1,300-1,800	$1,400-2,200	$1,350-1,550
Utilities	$150-250/mo	$200-350/mo	Included
WiFi	$60-80/mo	$60-80/mo	Included (500+ Mbps)
Furniture (amortized)	$100-200/mo	$100-200/mo	Included
Renter's Insurance	$15-25/mo	$15-25/mo	$15-25/mo
CTA Monthly Pass	N/A	$75/mo	$75/mo
True Monthly Cost	$1,625-2,355	$1,850-2,855	$1,440-1,650

The CTA monthly pass ($75) is the main added cost for Chicago-based Northwestern students. But that pass also gives you unlimited access to the entire CTA system — meaning your social life, errands, and part-time job commute are all covered. According to CTA fare information, the U-Pass program available through Northwestern covers unlimited CTA and Pace rides during the academic year, eliminating the transit cost entirely for enrolled students.

The data from the National Center for Education Statistics confirms that housing is the second-largest expense in a student's cost of attendance. Reducing that line item — whether through co-living, a shared apartment, or a strategic neighborhood choice — directly reduces your total cost of education.

Why Co-Living Makes Sense for Northwestern Students

Northwestern's academic calendar creates a housing problem that co-living is uniquely positioned to solve.

Flexible lease terms match academic schedules. Northwestern's academic year runs from late September to mid-June. A standard 12-month lease forces you to pay for three summer months you may not use — or scramble to find a subletter. At Post Chicago, lease terms range from 3 to 18 months. A 9-month lease covers the academic year. A 3-month summer lease covers an internship. You pay only for the months you need.

Furnished means no moving logistics. Graduate students and upperclassmen who have already moved once or twice understand the cost and hassle of furnishing an apartment. Every room at Post Chicago comes with a bed, desk, chair, and linens. Common areas include a full kitchen, living room furniture, and in-unit laundry. You arrive with a suitcase and leave with a suitcase — no truck rental, no furniture assembly, no Craigslist listings in May.

Community without the dorm experience. Co-living attracts a mix of graduate students, young professionals, and interns — people at a similar life stage who are building careers in Chicago. Shared spaces like the coffee bar, rooftop terrace, and co-working areas create organic social connections without the structured programming of a dormitory. For Northwestern students new to the Chicago social scene, this built-in community is a meaningful advantage.

All-inclusive pricing simplifies budgeting. Rent at Post Chicago includes furniture, utilities, high-speed WiFi, and weekly professional cleaning. There is one number on your budget spreadsheet, not five. For students managing financial aid disbursements and part-time income, that predictability matters.

According to Northwestern's housing website, on-campus housing is guaranteed for first-year students but not for upperclassmen or most graduate students. Co-living fills that gap with housing designed for independent adults, not undergraduates.

Read the full student housing guide