← Best suburbs near Chicago

Barrington vs Lake Zurich

Two popular IL suburbs of Chicago, side by side. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to families.

School rating
9/10
9/10
Commute to Chicago
66 min
84 min
Median home price
$596K
$479K
Annual property tax
$13K
$11K
Walk score
48
32
Density
suburban
suburban

Summary: It's a close match — both towns lead in 2 metrics each. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.

Character & vibe

Barrington

Northwest exurban estate community. Barrington 220 district is one of the top rural school systems in Illinois. Horse properties, forest preserves, and the most genteel suburb in northwest Cook/Lake county.

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Lake Zurich

Premier Lake County suburb with a namesake lake, top-ranked schools, and a strong community identity. Lake Zurich Community USD 95 is consistently in the top tier of Lake County districts. Downtown lakefront living at suburban prices.

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Who should pick which?

Pick Barrington if you...

  • ·Want the shortest commute to Chicago
  • ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown

Pick Lake Zurich if you...

  • ·Need to keep your home budget in check
  • ·Want lower annual property taxes

Still deciding?

Burbia scores both Barrington and Lake Zurich — and every other town in the Chicago Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.

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