Bloomington, IN vs Portage, IN

Bloomington, IN and Portage, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Bloomington scores 92 while Portage scores 88 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,160/month compared to $1,138/month in Portage — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portage is more affordable at $210,800 median vs $289,700.

Median household income in Bloomington is $48,918 compared to $72,833 in Portage (-32.8%). Portage offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Portage.