South Barrington, IL vs Swansea, IL

The cost of living difference between South Barrington, IL and Swansea, IL is dramatic. Swansea is 102.6% cheaper than South Barrington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. South Barrington has a cost index of 175 while Swansea sits at 86, 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 South Barrington is $1,917/month compared to $1,178/month in Swansea — a 63% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Swansea is more affordable at $211,700 median vs $986,300.

Median household income in South Barrington is $211,083 compared to $84,367 in Swansea (+150.2%). 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 South Barrington spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.8% in Swansea.

Climate-wise, Swansea is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.7°F in South Barrington. Swansea receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 33.2" in South Barrington.