Cities › Illinois

Cost of Living in Bloomington, IL

Population 78,907 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,050
Median home value$203,300
Median household income$77,384

The median rent in Bloomington, IL is $1,050/month, 18% lower than the Illinois median and 26% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $203,300, 39% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $77,384 a year, 7% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 16.3%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $42,000/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 2.6×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,028/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Bloomington vs. Illinois vs. U.S.

BloomingtonIllinoisU.S.
Median rent$1,050$1,274$1,413
Median home value$203,300$263,300$332,700
Median household income$77,384$83,390$80,734
Homeownership rate61.9%67.1%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher48.7%37.8%35.7%
Poverty rate11.0%11.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.7%5.8%5.2%
Work from home20.7%15.9%15.1%
Median age36.239.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Bloomington, IL?

The median gross rent in Bloomington, IL is $1,050 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Bloomington, IL?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $42,000 a year in gross income.

Is Bloomington, IL expensive to live in?

Rent there is 26% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 2.6 times the median household income.

Other cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILRent $1,440 · Income $77,902Aurora, ILRent $1,596 · Income $93,633Naperville, ILRent $1,885 · Income $155,105Joliet, ILRent $1,276 · Income $92,201Rockford, ILRent $985 · Income $54,752Elgin, ILRent $1,361 · Income $90,282

Cities with a similar cost of living

Medina, OHRent $1,077 · Income $77,385Sioux Falls, SDRent $1,035 · Income $75,970Kettering, OHRent $1,051 · Income $74,681Wadsworth, OHRent $1,067 · Income $79,490Tonawanda Town, NYRent $1,102 · Income $77,679Midland, MIRent $1,048 · Income $73,325

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.