Photo: Ronincmc, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Neither county is better for everyone. As of Sept. 30, 2026, Zillow put the typical home value at $367,683 in McHenry County and $383,834 in Kane County. McHenry tends to cost less and has the Union Pacific Northwest Metra line, while Kane has three Metra lines and larger cities along the Fox River.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Huntley, a village that sits in both counties. I help buyers on both sides of the line across the Northwest Suburbs, so here’s my honest side-by-side.
McHenry vs Kane at a Glance
| McHenry County | Kane County | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 census) | 310,229 | 516,522 |
| Area | About 611 sq. mi. | About 524 sq. mi. |
| County seat | Woodstock | Geneva |
| Typical home value (Zillow, Sept. 30, 2026) | $367,683 | $383,834 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 4.7% | Up 5.0% |
| Typical time to go pending (Zillow) | About 13 days | About 13 days |
| Average effective property tax rate (SmartAsset) | About 2.18% | About 2.05% |
| Metra lines | UP Northwest | UP West, MD West, BNSF |
Home Prices
Kane County’s median was about $45,000 higher than McHenry’s in September 2026, and it rose faster over the past year. Both are countywide medians, so they mix very different towns. In McHenry County, a home in Woodstock or Marengo usually costs less than one in Crystal Lake or Lake in the Hills. In Kane County, St. Charles and Geneva typically sell higher than parts of Elgin or Aurora.
That’s why I compare the exact towns you like, not just the counties. Get started with my free home value report if you’re selling first.
Commute and Metra
McHenry County has the Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) line to Ogilvie Transportation Center, with stations including Cary, Crystal Lake, Woodstock and Harvard, plus a branch to the city of McHenry. Huntley, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills don’t have stations; most commuters drive to Crystal Lake or Cary.
Kane County has three lines:
- UP West: Geneva, La Fox and Elburn to Ogilvie.
- Milwaukee District West: Elgin’s stations, including Big Timber Road, to Union Station.
- BNSF: Aurora to Union Station.
I-90 runs along the northern edge of Kane County and through Huntley’s interchange, which matters for drivers in both counties. Check metra.com for current times from the station you’d use.
Property Taxes
SmartAsset estimates McHenry County’s average effective rate at about 2.18% and Kane’s at about 2.05%. Because Kane’s prices are higher, a typical bill in dollars can be similar or higher there. Bills depend on township, school district and exemptions, so I pull the last bill for every home. Huntley straddles both counties, and my property taxes post compares Huntley, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and Barrington.
Towns to Compare
McHenry County
- Crystal Lake, the county’s largest city, with a UP-NW station.
- Huntley, mostly in McHenry County with part in Kane.
- Algonquin, also split between McHenry and Kane.
- Lake in the Hills.
- Cary, with its own Metra station.
- Woodstock, the county seat.
- McHenry and Marengo.
Kane County
- St. Charles, on the Fox River.
- Elgin, with Metra MD-West stations.
- Elburn, at the end of the UP-West line.
- Pingree Grove and Hampshire, with many newer subdivisions.
- Bartlett, which crosses into Kane.
Comparing two specific towns? See Huntley vs. Crystal Lake and Huntley vs. Lake in the Hills.
Schools
Both counties have many districts, and several towns are split. Huntley Community School District 158, for example, serves parts of both counties. Always confirm the schools for the exact address with the district, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Parks and Open Space
- McHenry County Conservation District manages preserves across the county, including Glacial Park near Ringwood, along with the Prairie Trail running north and south through the county.
- Forest Preserve District of Kane County owns more than 100 properties covering 23,517 acres, according to its 2024 progress report, and the Fox River Trail runs along the river through Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia.
Which One Fits You?
McHenry County may fit you if:
- You want a lower median price and a more small-town feel.
- You commute on the UP-NW line.
- You like lakes and the Chain O’Lakes area to the north.
Kane County may fit you if:
- You want more Metra choices and bigger cities along the Fox River.
- You commute east on I-88 or I-90.
- You’re comfortable with a higher median price.
Many buyers I work with end up looking in both. For new construction in the area, read about new construction in Huntley.
What to Think About Before You Choose
Where do you work, and how will you get there? If you ride Metra downtown, compare the UP-NW from Crystal Lake or Cary with the UP-W from Geneva or the BNSF from Aurora. If you drive, think about whether I-90, I-88 or Route 47 is your main road.
What kind of home do you want? Both counties have newer subdivisions, older homes near historic downtowns and acreage farther out. Kane County’s Fox River towns have more historic homes near busy downtowns, while western McHenry County has more open land.
What’s your real monthly budget? Because tax rates and prices differ, compare the full monthly payment for two or three specific homes instead of county averages. My post on how much you need to make to buy a home in the Chicago suburbs shows the county-by-county math, and I’ll run the loan payment, taxes and HOA dues for each home side by side.
How do you like to spend weekends? McHenry County has lakes, the Fox River and the Chain O’Lakes to the north. Kane County has the Fox River Trail and riverfront downtowns in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia.
How long do you plan to stay? If you might move again in a few years, it helps to look at how quickly similar homes have sold in each town.
Living on the County Line
Some of the most popular towns in this area sit right on the line. Huntley, Algonquin and Barrington Hills all cross from one county into another. Two homes a few streets apart can have different assessors, tax bills and sometimes school districts. When we look at homes in these towns, I’ll confirm the county and the last tax bill for each one, so you can compare them fairly.
FAQs: McHenry County vs Kane County
Is McHenry County cheaper than Kane County?
On average, yes. Zillow put the typical home value at $367,683 in McHenry County and $383,834 in Kane County as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Which county has more Metra lines?
Kane County has three: UP West, Milwaukee District West and BNSF. McHenry County has the UP Northwest line.
Which county has lower property taxes?
SmartAsset estimates Kane County’s effective rate at about 2.05% and McHenry’s at about 2.18%. Actual bills depend on each home’s district and exemptions.
Is Huntley in McHenry County or Kane County?
Both. Most of Huntley is in McHenry County, and part of it is in Kane County.
What are the county seats?
Woodstock is the county seat of McHenry County, and Geneva is the county seat of Kane County.
How do I check schools in either county?
Confirm the schools for the exact address with the district, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll send you current homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, email mybrokerdana@gmail.com, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale or get a free home value report.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR, ABR®, SRS) | Certified Luxury Home agent | BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.