Barrington, IL vs North Chicago, IL

The cost of living difference between Barrington, IL and North Chicago, IL is dramatic. North Chicago is 56% cheaper than Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrington has a cost index of 141 while North Chicago sits at 90, 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 $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Chicago is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $580,900.

Median household income in Barrington is $150,714 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+165.3%). 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 29.4% in North Chicago.