Chatham, IL vs Lake Barrington, IL

The cost of living difference between Chatham, IL and Lake Barrington, IL is dramatic. Chatham is 48.2% cheaper than Lake Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 86 while Lake Barrington sits at 166, 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 Chatham is $1,157/month compared to $3,060/month in Lake Barrington — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $451,400.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $132,857 in Lake Barrington (-20.2%). Lake Barrington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, less than the 27.6% in Lake Barrington.