Bloomington, IL vs Chicago Heights, IL

Bloomington, IL and Chicago Heights, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Bloomington scores 79 while Chicago Heights scores 80 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 $1,035/month in Chicago Heights — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bloomington has cheaper rent, Chicago Heights actually has lower median home values ($149,900 vs $198,800).

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $57,479 in Chicago Heights (+31.3%). 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 21.6% in Chicago Heights.