Bloomington, IL vs Champaign, IL

Bloomington, IL and Champaign, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Bloomington scores 79 while Champaign scores 82 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,004/month compared to $1,103/month in Champaign — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $199,700.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $57,544 in Champaign (+31.1%). Bloomington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Champaign.