salaryRent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,360 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 123 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bloomington?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bloomington
| Size | Bloomington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $780 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $857 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,222 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,586 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,017 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bloomington overall?
Everyday prices in the Bloomington metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bloomington
Life in Bloomington
What jobs pay in Bloomington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,190 | 11.3% |
| Pharmacist | $139,050 | 11.3% |
| Lawyer | $124,100 | 12.7% |
| Software Developer | $123,320 | 12.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,030 | 15.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,070 | 16.2% |
| Operations Manager | $93,250 | 16.8% |
| Police Officer | $80,480 | 19.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,970 | 19.6% |
| Electrician | $79,430 | 19.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,220 | 20.1% |
| Plumber | $77,700 | 20.2% |
| Accountant | $76,510 | 20.5% |
| Carpenter | $75,470 | 20.8% |
| Firefighter | $69,270 | 22.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $67,270 | 23.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,590 | 23.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,030 | 24.5% |
| Truck Driver | $54,610 | 28.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,180 | 36.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,120 | 40.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,070 | 41.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,610 | 42.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,310 | 44.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,670 | 49.6% |
| Cashier | $31,200 | 50.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 50.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bloomington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $102 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $203,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,330 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bloomington, IL?
Renting in Bloomington costs a median of about $1,309 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Bloomington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,360 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bloomington cheap or expensive?
Bloomington is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.8% of the typical household income of $83,459. It ranks 123rd cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bloomington?
The median homeowner in Bloomington pays $4,374 a year in property taxes, about 2.15% of the median home value.
Is Bloomington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bloomington?
The median home value in Bloomington is $203,300, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
78,907 people live in Bloomington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.