Barrington, IL vs Niles, IL

The cost of living difference between Barrington, IL and Niles, IL is dramatic. Niles is 37.3% cheaper than Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrington has a cost index of 141 while Niles sits at 102, 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 is $1,886/month compared to $1,247/month in Niles — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Niles is more affordable at $350,900 median vs $580,900.

Median household income in Barrington is $150,714 compared to $78,563 in Niles (+91.8%). While Barrington 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 spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Niles.