The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in Illinois

Living in Illinois means you’re a part of an increasingly diverse and welcoming community that truly comes alive at night.

Illinois has some of the best places to live in the country. It is home to Chicago, where we are all familiar with its skyline and culture, and Springfield, where we can take advantage of shopping and dining at one of our nation’s oldest malls.

There are plenty of great places for families in Illinois — especially if you have children! Some of these cities include Peoria, Joliet, and Springfield.

You’ll find plenty of parks and other amenities where kids can play safely, and there’s even something for everyone: from arts-and-crafts museums to theme parks and more.

When it comes down to education, Illinois schools don’t disappoint. We’ve got more than 500 school districts across our state that serve students from kindergarten through college — that’s over 6 million students!

These districts offer everything from public schools to private universities so that everyone can get an excellent education at affordable prices.

Always good things come at a cost, in this article we’ll take a look at the most expensive cities in Illinois.

Most Expensive Places to Live in Illinois

The cities of Illinois have a lot to offer when it comes to culture, history, and entertainment. The state is home to some of the country’s most beautiful cities, including Chicago and Springfield.

However, these are also some of the most expensive cities in the nation. If you want to live in one of these top-rated communities, you’ll need to be prepared with a sizable budget.

Here are the five most expensive cities to live in Illinois:

1. Kenilworth

The village is located on the North Shore of Lake Michigan and is a suburb of Chicago. Kenilworth has a reputation for being an affluent and exclusive community.

The average household income in Kenilworth is over $227,404 and the median home price is over $2 million.

Although Kenilworth is small, it has a number of notable residents. Some of the most famous residents of Kenilworth include former President Barack Obama, actor Harrison Ford, and billionaire Warren Buffett.

What makes Kenilworth so expensive

Kenilworth is a wealthy suburb of Chicago that is home to many high-earning professionals. The high cost of living there is due in part to the many upscale amenities and attractions that are available.

From top-rated schools to luxurious homes, there is a lot to love about Kenilworth and it comes with a price tag to match.

Kenilworth is a great place to live if you can afford it. The village has a top-ranked school system, a low crime rate, and plenty of things to do.

2. Winnetka

Winnetka is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,361 at the 2020 census. Winnetka is one of the wealthiest suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The median home price in Winnetka is $1.6M, making it one of the most expensive places to live in Illinois. The high cost of living is due to the village’s excellent schools, safe streets, and close proximity to Chicago.

Despite the high price tag, Winnetka is a popular place to live, with families flocking to the suburb in search of a good quality of life.

What makes Winnetka so expensive

Winnetka is an affluent suburb of Chicago that is known for its large homes and expensive real estate. In fact, Winnetka is the most expensive city to live in, in Illinois.

There are several factors that contribute to this, including the high cost of living in Chicago and the strong demand for housing in Winnetka.

The schools in Winnetka are also some of the best in the state, which makes it a desirable place to live for families with children.

Overall, the high cost of living in Winnetka is due to a combination of factors, including the strong demand for housing and the high quality of life.

3. Glencoe

Living in Glencoe is definitely not cheap, as the median home price is $1.3M. It is definitely one of the most expensive places to live in Illinois, but it’s also one of the best.

However, if you can afford to live here, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views and high quality of life.

The town has a population of just over 8,836 (2020) people, so it’s definitely on the smaller side. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do.

What makes Glencoe so expensive

There are a few factors that make Glencoe so expensive. Firstly, the town is located in a highly desirable area. It’s close to Chicago, but far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The town is also home to some of the best schools in the state, which drives up the cost of living.

Another factor that contributes to the high cost of living in Glencoe is the town’s property taxes.

Glencoe has some of the highest property taxes in Illinois, which means that residents have to pay more for their homes.

4. Hinsdale

Hinsdale, Illinois is one of the most expensive places to live in the entire state. The median home price is an astounding $1 million.

That’s almost double the median home price of the second most expensive city in Illinois, Lake Forest. The town is home to some of the finest shopping, dining, and entertainment in the state.

And, of course, the schools are top-notch. If you can afford to live in Hinsdale, you’ll be living in the lap of luxury.

What makes Hinsdale so expensive

There are a few reasons that Hinsdale is one of the most expensive cities to live in Illinois. First, the city has a high property tax rate, which means that homeowners have to pay more in property taxes.

The cost of living in Hinsdale is high, and the city doesn’t have many affordable housing options.

Finally, the city’s schools are some of the best in the state, which makes it a desirable place to live for families with children.

All of these factors combine to make Hinsdale one of the most expensive cities to live in Illinois.

5. Golf

If you’re looking for a place to live that has plenty of luxurious amenities, look no further than Golf. This affluent community is located in Cook County and is one of the most expensive places to live in Illinois.

The median home price in Golf is $962,147, making it one of the most expensive cities in the state. But with that high price tag comes plenty of perks, including access to some of the best golf courses in the state.

What makes Golf so expensive

There are a few factors that contribute to the high cost of living in Golf Illinois. The first is the town’s location.

Golf Illinois is situated in the northwest corner of the state, and its proximity to Chicago means that housing costs are higher than in other parts of the state.

The second factor is the town’s size. With a population of just over 521 (2020) people, Golf Illinois is one of the smallest towns in Illinois.

This means that there are fewer housing options, and those that are available are often more expensive than in larger towns.

6. Bannockburn

Bannockburn is a village in northern Illinois, located about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

The village is home to just over 1,194 (2020) people, and its median home price of just over $966,000 makes it one of the most expensive places to live in the state.

Bannockburn is known for being a relatively affluent community, and its residents enjoy access to high-quality schools and amenities.

The village is also home to a number of businesses and organizations, including the Bannockburn Country Club and the Bannockburn Library.

What makes Bannockburn so expensive

Bannockburn is a wealthy suburb located in Illinois. It is one of the most expensive places to live in the state, and there are several factors that contribute to its high cost of living.

One of the main reasons why Bannockburn is so expensive is because it is located in Lake County.

This county has some of the highest property taxes in the state, and this is one of the main factors that contribute to the high cost of living in Bannockburn.

Another reason why Bannockburn is so expensive is that it has a very low crime rate. This suburb is located in a very safe area, and this contributes to the high cost of living.

Bannockburn also has a very good school district. This suburb is served by the highly regarded Lincoln-Way Community Consolidated School District, and this contributes to the high cost of living.

7. Lake Forest

Lake Forest is the seventh most expensive city to live in Illinois. The median home price is $956K. The city has a population of just over 19,000 people. Lake Forest is a suburb of Chicago and is located in Lake County.

The city is home to several large businesses, including S&C Electric Company and Tenneco. Lake Forest has a number of parks and recreation areas, as well as a golf course and country club.

The city also has a number of private schools, making it a desirable place to live for families. Despite the high cost of living, Lake Forest is a beautiful and convenient place to call home.

8. South Barrington

With a median home price of $929,000, it’s one of the most expensive cities in the state. But what you get for your money is a beautiful and affluent community.

South Barrington is located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and it’s one of the most affluent communities in the area. The average household income is over $183,750, and the median home price is nearly $1 million.

The community is known for its high-end shopping and dining options, as well as its excellent schools.

9. Barrington Hills

Barrington Hills is one of the most affluent suburbs in Illinois and is ranked as the ninth most expensive city to live in. The median home price is $840,000 and the average household income is over $112,794.

The town is known for its excellent schools and low crime rate. Barrington Hills is also home to many celebrities, including Bill Murray and Harrison Ford.

What makes Barrington Hills so expensive

What makes Barrington Hills so expensive is its location. The village is located in the Barrington Hills area of McHenry County, Illinois, and is adjacent to the city of Chicago.

As a result, it has a high cost of living, as well as high property taxes. The village has a number of upscale homes and amenities, which also contribute to its high cost of living.

10. Wilmette

Wilmette is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located 14 miles north of downtown Chicago. The population was 27,114 (2020) at the 2020 census. Wilmette is known for its affluent lifestyle, large homes, and New England-style town center.

The village has been listed as one of the wealthiest towns in the United States by CNNMoney.com and Business Insider

Wilmette’s public beach is along Lake Michigan and is one of the most popular beaches in the Chicago metropolitan area. The North Shore Channel Trail also runs through the village, connecting it with neighboring Evanston.

Popular annual events include the Wilmette Pet Parade, Memorial Day Parade, 4th of July Celebration, Labor Day Parade, and the Sidewalk Sale Days.