Chatham, IL vs South Barrington, IL

The cost of living difference between Chatham, IL and South Barrington, IL is dramatic. Chatham is 50.9% cheaper than South Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 86 while South Barrington sits at 175, 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 $1,917/month in South Barrington — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $986,300.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $211,083 in South Barrington (-49.8%). The higher salaries in South Barrington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in South Barrington.