City Comparison
Bolingbrook vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bolingbrook scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bolingbrook
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Bolingbrook.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bolingbrook's average rent is
23% higher than Waukegan's.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,424 | +23% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $2,324 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bolingbrook offers 43% 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 $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $97,500 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 34.80 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bolingbrook.
Waukegan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waukegan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waukegan is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Bolingbrook.
From a growth perspective, Bolingbrook is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bolingbrook | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,932 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Waukegan
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the broader Chicago metropolitan average per Zillow data.
Direct Metra rail connectivity provides convenient commuter access to downtown Chicago.
Extensive lakefront property, marina facilities, and natural dunes provide unique recreational opportunities.
Thriving local manufacturing and industrial base acts as a strong regional employment anchor.
Rich cultural arts scene anchored by historical venues like the Genesee Theatre.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates in Lake County can place a heavy burden on homeowners.
Certain areas experience higher-than-average crime rates relative to surrounding suburban pockets.
Local median household incomes trail behind wealthier neighboring municipalities in Lake County.
Poverty rates remain somewhat higher than the national average.
Varying industrial legacy sites require ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
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
Waukegan
#253Illinois, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,424
Avg Salary
$54,394
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
72
Business
70
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