Photo: McHenry County Government Center by TheCatalyst31, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
For homes in the McHenry County parts of these towns, median property tax bills run about $8,100 in Huntley, $7,845 in Crystal Lake and $8,365 in Algonquin, according to Ownwell’s analysis of county data. Barrington is a different story: it sits in Cook and Lake counties, and bills there are often higher.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. Taxes are one of the first things buyers ask me about, and one of the things sellers most need to explain. Here’s how these four towns compare, and why the number for any single house can be very different.
Median Tax Bills at a Glance
| Town | Median bill (McHenry County parcels) | Average 2024 tax, IDOR-based | Effective rate (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntley | $8,100 | $7,191 (Grafton Twp) | 1.84% |
| Crystal Lake | $7,845 | $7,981 (Algonquin Twp) | 2.29% |
| Algonquin | $8,365 | $6,864 (Algonquin Twp) | 1.97% |
| Barrington | See below (Cook/Lake) | n/a | n/a |
The median bills come from Ownwell’s McHenry County data. The average tax and effective rate columns come from TaxByAddress, which applies each town’s 2024 tax rate from the Illinois Department of Revenue to the township’s average residential value. The two methods measure different things, which is why they don’t match. Use them to compare towns, not to predict your own bill.
Huntley
Huntley’s 2024 effective rate was about 1.84% in Grafton Township, the lowest of the three McHenry County towns here, with a median bill around $8,100. Part of Huntley is in Kane County, so check which county a home is in. Read more in my guide to moving to Huntley, and see my Huntley vs. Crystal Lake comparison.
If you’re looking at Sun City, my post on Del Webb Huntley HOA costs and taxes breaks down that community.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, in Algonquin Township, had a 2024 aggregate tax rate of about 8.92 per $100 of equalized assessed value, for an effective rate around 2.29%, with a median bill of about $7,845. See my guide to moving to Crystal Lake.
Algonquin
Algonquin had a 2024 effective rate of about 1.97% in Algonquin Township and a median bill of about $8,365. About 78% of the village is in McHenry County and the rest is in Kane County, so the county, township and school district all matter. Read how to buy a house in Algonquin or watch my Algonquin video.
Barrington
The Village of Barrington is split between Cook and Lake counties, and the county decides how a home is assessed. Cook assesses homes at 10% of market value, and Lake, like most Illinois counties, uses 33⅓%. Cook County treasurer data, reported by the Daily Herald, put the median residential bill on the Cook side of Barrington at about $8,246 for tax year 2021, and current bills may be different. The village says school districts make up about 69% of an average bill.
Homes with Barrington mailing addresses that sit in McHenry County had a median bill of about $17,531 in Ownwell’s data. Many of those are larger properties outside the village itself, so that number isn’t a fair comparison for an in-town Barrington home. See my Barrington moving guide.
How Illinois Property Taxes Work (The Short Version)
- Assessed value: Outside Cook County, homes are assessed at one-third of market value.
- Exemptions: In McHenry County, the General Homestead Exemption reduces equalized assessed value by up to $8,000 for owner-occupied homes, and the Senior Homestead Exemption takes off up to another $8,000 for owners 65 and older.
- Tax rate: Every taxing district on your bill (schools, county, township, village, park and library districts) adds to the rate.
- Your bill: Taxable value times the rate.
That’s why two similar houses a mile apart can have very different bills.
Tips for Buyers and Sellers
- Buyers: Never estimate taxes from the listing alone. Exemptions belong to the current owner, so your bill can change after you buy. I’ll pull the real tax history and estimate your bill before you make an offer. Get pre-approved with taxes built into your payment.
- Sellers: High taxes affect what buyers can afford. Pricing right matters even more. Start with a free home value report.
- Everyone: Make sure every exemption you qualify for is on your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has lower property taxes, Huntley or Crystal Lake?
Huntley’s 2024 effective rate (about 1.84%) was lower than Crystal Lake’s (about 2.29%), but Huntley’s median bill (about $8,100) was a bit higher because home values differ. Compare the tax history for the exact homes you’re considering.
What is the property tax rate in Algonquin, IL?
In Algonquin Township, Algonquin’s 2024 aggregate rate was about 7.67 per $100 of equalized assessed value, an effective rate of about 1.97%.
Why are Barrington property taxes different?
Barrington is in Cook and Lake counties. Cook assesses homes at 10% of market value and Lake at 33⅓%, so the county a home sits in changes how it’s taxed.
How much is the homestead exemption in McHenry County?
The General Homestead Exemption reduces equalized assessed value by up to $8,000 for owner-occupied homes. Owners 65 and older can also get a Senior Homestead Exemption of up to $8,000.
How can I lower my property taxes in Illinois?
Make sure every exemption you qualify for is applied, and if your assessment looks too high compared with similar homes, you can appeal through your township assessor or county board of review.
Want the Real Numbers for a Specific Home?
Send me the address and I’ll pull the tax history, check the exemptions and estimate what your bill could look like. Call or text me at 224-858-0022 or contact me here.
Taxes are only half the picture — the other half is what a buyer would actually pay. See what your home is worth in today’s market with a free report prepared from real local sales.
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. Tax figures come from public sources, are not tax advice and change every year.