Household incomes are soaring in Illinois’ wealthiest cities. A new GOBankingRates study reveals the mean household income has skyrocketed more than $400,000 in Kenilworth, Winnetka and Glencoe. Incomes have also surpassed the $300,000 threshold annually in six more cities including Hinsdale and North Barrington.
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GOBankingRates determined Illinois’ wealthiest cities by studying cities with a population of at least 5,000 and utilizing the U.S. Census for each location’s median and mean household incomes. We sourced the overall cost-of-living indexes from Sperling’s BestPlaces and sorted the cities by their mean household income. Because so many cities are within close proximity of one another, many cost-of-living indexes are similar or the same.
Take a look at the wealthiest cities to live in Illinois. And if you’re curious about the safest and richest cities in the United States, check out our ranking for the top 50 cities.
1. Kenilworth
- Mean household income: $460,411
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $1,907,940
- Livability: 82
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2. Winnetka
- Mean household income: $457,404
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $1,790,007
- Livability: 83
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3. Glencoe
- Mean household income: $413,718
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $1,517,703
- Livability: 79
4. Hinsdale
- Mean household income: $376,366
- Annual cost of expenditures: $83,540
- August 2025 home value: $1,249,620
- Livability: 81
5. Riverwoods
- Mean household income: $345,682
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $942,226
- Livability: 66
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6. Long Grove
- Mean household income: $308,436
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $914,100
- Livability: 65
7. South Barrington
- Mean household income: $305,743
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $1,096,229
- Livability: 59
8. Lake Forest
- Mean household income: $302,171
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $1,193,281
- Livability: 67
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9. North Barrington
- Mean household income: $302,087
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $811,274
- Livability: 66
10. Lake Bluff
- Mean household income: $297,923
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $670,113
- Livability: 82
11. Western Springs
- Mean household income: $294,896
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $826,886
- Livability: 89
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12. Kildeer
- Mean household income: $293,384
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $826,998
- Livability: 65
13. Wilmette
- Mean household income: $291,930
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $984,581
- Livability: 83
14. Barrington Hills
- Mean household income: $287,322
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $995,324
- Livability: 53
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15. Northfield
- Mean household income: $281,510
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $943,136
- Livability: 79
16. Hawthorn Woods
- Mean household income: $270,026
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $715,673
- Livability: 65
17. Oak Brook
- Mean household income: $264,446
- Annual cost of expenditures: $83,540
- August 2025 home value: $1,045,034
- Livability: 75
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18. Inverness
- Mean household income: $262,244
- Annual cost of expenditures: $81,685
- August 2025 home value: $788,794
- Livability: 69
19. Deer Park
- Mean household income: $257,855
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $726,985
- Livability: 68
20. Highland Park
- Mean household income: $247,484
- Annual cost of expenditures: $74,962
- August 2025 home value: $800,273
- Livability: 85
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Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Illinois with at least 5,000 population according to the US Census 2023 American Community Survey. Median household income and mean household income were also sourced from the US Census 2023 ACS. The overall cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and by using the national average household overall expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all consumer units, the overall cost of living can be calculated. Due to geographic factors such as proximity of cities to one another, the overall cost-of-living indexes are very similar or the same. The livability indexes were sourced from AreaVibes and included as supplemental information. The cities were sorted by their mean household income showcasing the wealthiest cities in Illinois. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 9, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Wealthiest Cities To Live in Illinois
