Bloomington, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Bloomington, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Bloomington is 51% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bloomington has a cost index of 79 while Wilmette sits at 161, 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 $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-60.8%). While Wilmette 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 12.3% in Wilmette.