Cost of Living in Barrington Hills, IL

Population 3,923 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

252
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Barrington Hills run well above the national baseline, with a median of $782,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $186,667 place the city among the better-paid Illinois metros.

Barrington Hills sits roughly 9 miles northeast of Elgin — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 210% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 256
Rent 247

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Barrington Hills

The median home value in Barrington Hills is $781,600 — 156% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,241/month, 147% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $186,667/year is 150% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Barrington Hills has a cost of living index of 252 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 152% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$781,600
156% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$994,768
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$3,241/mo
147% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 91.6%
Renter-occupied 8.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$3,241
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,855/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
38.6 min
43% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.8%
Carpooled
4.1%
Public transit
5.8%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
20.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$186,667
150% above avg
Per Capita Income
$96,755
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor Force Participation
60.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.9%
Graduate degree 28.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.8
Male median age 43.1
Female median age 44.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
28.5%
Good air days/yr
223
Max AQI recorded
252
PM2.5 days
97
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Barrington Hills, IL?

Barrington Hills has a cost index of 252 (100 = national average). It is 152% above the national average.

What is average rent in Barrington Hills, IL?

The median gross rent in Barrington Hills is $3,241 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Barrington Hills?

The median home value in Barrington Hills is $781,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Barrington Hills?

The median household income in Barrington Hills is $186,667 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Barrington Hills, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Barrington Hills is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Barrington Hills, IL affordable?

Barrington Hills is above average in cost of living, with an index of 252 — about 152% higher than the national average.