Barrington, IL vs Rochester, IL

The cost of living difference between Barrington, IL and Rochester, IL is dramatic. Rochester is 53% cheaper than Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrington has a cost index of 141 while Rochester sits at 92, 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 $1,333/month in Rochester — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rochester is more affordable at $241,900 median vs $580,900.

Median household income in Barrington is $150,714 compared to $112,689 in Rochester (+33.7%). The higher salaries in Barrington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Barrington spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, more than the 14.2% in Rochester.