Barrington Hills, IL vs Markham, IL

The cost of living difference between Barrington Hills, IL and Markham, IL is dramatic. Markham is 104.6% cheaper than Barrington Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrington Hills has a cost index of 198 while Markham sits at 97, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Barrington Hills is $3,241/month compared to $1,689/month in Markham — a 92% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Markham is more affordable at $119,500 median vs $781,600.

Median household income in Barrington Hills is $186,667 compared to $52,364 in Markham (+256.5%). While Barrington Hills is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barrington Hills spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 38.7% in Markham. The Barrington Hills ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.