Hillcrest, IL vs South Barrington, IL

The cost of living difference between Hillcrest, IL and South Barrington, IL is dramatic. Hillcrest is 52.3% cheaper than South Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillcrest has a cost index of 83 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 Hillcrest is $1,158/month compared to $1,917/month in South Barrington — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hillcrest is more affordable at $151,900 median vs $986,300.

Median household income in Hillcrest is $77,609 compared to $211,083 in South Barrington (-63.2%). While South 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 Hillcrest spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in South Barrington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.8°F vs 49.7°F). Hillcrest receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 33.2" in South Barrington.