| Index | Barrington | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 138 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 228 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 100 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Barrington? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Barrington stands at 138, making it 38% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Barrington is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Barrington falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Barrington cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 127.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Wondering if Barrington is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Barrington, for example, the median home price is 162.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 45.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Barrington boasting a median household income of $167,193, which is 105.6% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Barrington, the groceries index is 0.9% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Barrington, the housing index is 127.7% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Barrington comes in at 0.9% lower than the national average.
The Barrington cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $222,397 | $18,533 | $5,189 | $6,673 |
| Renters | $87,975 | $7,331 | $2,053 | $2,640 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Park City, IL | 7,894 | 82 | 18.2% |
| North Chicago, IL | 30,865 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Round Lake Park, IL | 8,005 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Waukegan, IL | 90,063 | 96 | 4.1% |
| McCullom Lake, IL | 1,222 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Barrington, IL | 10,656 | 138 | 37.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO | 10,655 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Portage, WI | 10,657 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Miami Shores, FL | 10,653 | 148 | 48.2% |
| Gig Harbor, WA | 10,659 | 150 | 49.6% |
| Grey Highlands, ON | 10,659 | n/a | |
| Barrington, IL | 10,656 | 138 | 37.8% |
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