Barrington, IL vs Pekin, IL

The cost of living difference between Barrington, IL and Pekin, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 117.1% cheaper than Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrington has a cost index of 141 while Pekin sits at 65, 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 $792/month in Pekin — a 138% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $580,900.

Median household income in Barrington is $150,714 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (+158.3%). 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 16.3% in Pekin.