City Comparison
Bolingbrook vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bolingbrook scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bolingbrook
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Bolingbrook.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bolingbrook's average rent is
46% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,200 | +46% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $2,110 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bolingbrook offers 13% 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 Springfield.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $97,500 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bolingbrook sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 34.80 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Bolingbrook.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Bolingbrook.
From a growth perspective, Bolingbrook is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,932 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 41.0 |
| 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.
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
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
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bolingbrook and Springfield.
Open Cost Calculator