Bloomington, IL vs Buffalo Grove, IL

The cost of living difference between Bloomington, IL and Buffalo Grove, IL is dramatic. Bloomington is 39.2% cheaper than Buffalo Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bloomington has a cost index of 79 while Buffalo Grove sits at 130, 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 Bloomington is $1,004/month compared to $2,042/month in Buffalo Grove — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $392,900.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $129,820 in Buffalo Grove (-41.9%). While Buffalo Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Buffalo Grove.