City Comparison
Bolingbrook vs Palatine
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bolingbrook scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bolingbrook
Palatine
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palatine is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Bolingbrook.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Palatine | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,750 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $2,690 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bolingbrook offers similar 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 $62,000 in Palatine.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Palatine |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $97,500 | $89,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Palatine sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Palatine |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 16.70°F |
| Rainfall | 34.80 in | 34.30 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 27.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 252 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Palatine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Palatine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Palatine |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bolingbrook is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Palatine.
From a growth perspective, Palatine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Palatine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Palatine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,932 | 67,908 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Palatine
Advantages
Consistently low crime rates making it one of the safer suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area per police department reports.
Direct Metra commuter rail access providing efficient transit to downtown Chicago per Metra schedules.
Exceptional public school districts serving families with highly rated elementary, middle, and high schools per state education reports.
Extensive park district managing over 50 parks, golf courses, and the expansive Deer Grove forest preserve.
Vibrant downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and community events per local chamber of commerce data.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of suburban Cook County per county assessor data.
Cost of living and housing expenses exceed the national average per Zillow and US Census Bureau figures.
Car dependency remains relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown transit core.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major regional arteries like Route 53 and US-12.
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
Palatine
#277Illinois, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
84
Business
75
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