salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.9 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.5 minutes. Most households rent (65%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 58.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,040 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 81 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bloomington?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bloomington
| Size | Bloomington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,101 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,126 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,359 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,612 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,924 | $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 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.1, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,670 | 11.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,120 | 12.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $123,860 | 12.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,370 | 14.5% |
| Lawyer | $103,460 | 15.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,600 | 15.2% |
| Operations Manager | $101,310 | 15.4% |
| Software Developer | $99,990 | 15.6% |
| Plumber | $96,980 | 16.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,280 | 18.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,370 | 19.4% |
| Accountant | $76,640 | 20.4% |
| Police Officer | $68,170 | 22.9% |
| Electrician | $65,660 | 23.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,200 | 24.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,130 | 25.1% |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | 25.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,920 | 25.6% |
| Truck Driver | $58,700 | 26.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,410 | 26.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,900 | 35.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,660 | 39.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,130 | 40.9% |
| Firefighter | $37,620 | 41.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,820 | 42.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,910 | 44.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,890 | 50.5% |
| Cashier | $29,120 | 53.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,540 | 54.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bloomington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $929 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $321,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bloomington, IN?
Renting in Bloomington costs a median of about $1,301 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Bloomington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,040 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bloomington cheap or expensive?
Bloomington is rated OK: rent takes 28.7% of the typical household income of $54,427. It ranks 81st cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bloomington?
The median homeowner in Bloomington pays $2,602 a year in property taxes, about 0.81% of the median home value.
Is Bloomington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% 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 $321,400, about 5.9 times the typical yearly household income.
80,049 people live in Bloomington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.