City Comparison
Bolingbrook vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bolingbrook scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bolingbrook
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Bolingbrook.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bolingbrook's average rent is
84% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $950 | +84% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $1,845 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bolingbrook offers 34% 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 $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $97,500 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bolingbrook sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 34.80 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rockford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Bolingbrook.
Rockford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rockford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Bolingbrook.
From a growth perspective, Bolingbrook 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 | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,932 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| 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.
Rockford
Advantages
Median home prices in Rockford remain significantly lower than the national average per Redfin data from 2024.
The city boasts extensive recreational amenities, including the world-renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Strategic location along I-90 provides easy access to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee.
A thriving arts and cultural scene anchored by the historic Coronado Theatre.
Abundant park space with the Rockford Park District managing over 4,000 acres of land.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates per FBI crime data.
Property tax rates in Winnebago County can be relatively high compared to neighboring states.
Public transit options are more limited outside of core bus routes, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall and cold temperatures requiring robust preparation.
Job growth in traditional manufacturing has faced periodic economic fluctuations.
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
Rockford
#446Illinois, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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