Bloomington, IL vs Granite City, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Granite City is 22.5% cheaper than Bloomington. With a cost index of 65 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Granite City to Bloomington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,004/month compared to $761/month in Granite City — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Granite City is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $198,800.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $60,490 in Granite City (+24.7%). While Bloomington 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 15.1% in Granite City.