City Comparison
Bolingbrook vs Joliet
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bolingbrook scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bolingbrook
Joliet
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Bolingbrook.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bolingbrook's average rent is
21% higher than Joliet's.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Joliet | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $2,375 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bolingbrook offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bolingbrook delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bolingbrook is estimated at
$62,000 vs $52,000 in Joliet.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,500 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 74,457 idx |
| Household Income | $97,500 | $81,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bolingbrook sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 34.80 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 26.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Joliet scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Joliet leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Bolingbrook.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bolingbrook has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,932 | 150,362 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bolingbrook
Advantages
Diverse and inclusive community with vibrant cultural events and dining options.
Strategically positioned near major highways (I-55 and I-355) for regional commuting and logistics.
Consistently lower crime rates compared to the national average and nearby urban centers.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and recreational facilities managed by the Bolingbrook Park District.
Strong retail and dining infrastructure anchored by The Promenade Bolingbrook.
Drawbacks
High property tax burden typical of Will and DuPage counties in Illinois.
High car dependency with limited public transit walkability outside central corridors.
Prone to harsh winter weather conditions with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major thoroughfares like Route 53 and Weber Road.
Housing affordability has tightened due to rising regional real estate demand.
Joliet
Advantages
Median home prices and rent averages remain significantly more affordable than Chicago and its inner-ring suburbs.
Strategic geographic location at the intersection of I-80 and I-55 drives robust job opportunities in logistics and manufacturing.
Direct Metra commuter rail service on the Rock Island line provides convenient access to downtown Chicago.
Rich cultural and architectural assets, including the historic Rialto Square Theatre and extensive park district facilities.
Strong presence of higher education and healthcare institutions supporting local workforce development and medical access.
Drawbacks
Will County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Heavy freight and truck traffic on major regional corridors contributes to roadway wear and localized congestion.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside of core commuter routes.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain central areas experiencing elevated property and violent crime.
Air quality and environmental concerns occasionally arise due to heavy industrial activity and massive distribution warehouse operations.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bolingbrook
#177Illinois, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
41.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
74
Joliet
#215Illinois, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
92
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
72
Business
75
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