Bolingbrook, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Bolingbrook, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Bolingbrook is 30.5% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bolingbrook has a cost index of 112 while Wilmette sits at 161, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bolingbrook is $1,718/month compared to $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bolingbrook is more affordable at $295,500 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Bolingbrook is $107,552 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-44.1%). While Wilmette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bolingbrook spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Wilmette.