Barrington, IL vs St. Charles, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Charles is 16.9% cheaper than Barrington. With a cost index of 120 vs 141, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Charles to Barrington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barrington is $1,886/month compared to $1,788/month in St. Charles — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Charles is more affordable at $369,700 median vs $580,900.

Median household income in Barrington is $150,714 compared to $115,350 in St. Charles (+30.7%). 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 18.6% in St. Charles.