yep, but evolving seems to be the best way to level
If you're in an area that spawns load of low cost evolving pokemon, then it's a good idea to catch and evolve as many of these as you can for the level boost. We get loads of pidgey that cost 12 to evolve, they seem easiest method of leveling.
Evolving CP is based on personal Level.
So level up as much as you can, then evolve.
Power up when you cannot evolve any more (if an evolve is possible, wait to evolve).