Bloomington, IL vs Des Plaines, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bloomington is 25.1% cheaper than Des Plaines. With a cost index of 79 vs 105, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bloomington to Des Plaines should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,004/month compared to $1,435/month in Des Plaines — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $318,200.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $94,303 in Des Plaines (-20%). The higher salaries in Des Plaines partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Des Plaines.