Hi I can help you with your Northwestern questions. I grew up in Chicago and I have been at NWU for the past 3 years now.
The prices posted above is correct for housing around Evanston. Rogers park area in Chicago is close and definitely much cheaper but becareful where you are at in RP because some areas can definitely be unsafe. Evanston is a beautiful area to live at especially around campus. Plenty of great restaurants and a few good bars.