Bloomington, IL vs Vernon Hills, IL

The cost of living difference between Bloomington, IL and Vernon Hills, IL is dramatic. Bloomington is 36.1% cheaper than Vernon Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bloomington has a cost index of 79 while Vernon Hills sits at 124, 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 $1,855/month in Vernon Hills — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $384,800.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $120,625 in Vernon Hills (-37.5%). While Vernon Hills 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, less than the 18.5% in Vernon Hills.