Bloomington, IL vs Downers Grove, IL

The cost of living difference between Bloomington, IL and Downers Grove, IL is dramatic. Bloomington is 34.2% cheaper than Downers Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bloomington has a cost index of 79 while Downers Grove sits at 120, 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 $1,589/month in Downers Grove — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $439,000.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $119,649 in Downers Grove (-36.9%). While Downers 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, more than the 15.9% in Downers Grove.