Bloomington, IN vs Valparaiso, IN

Bloomington, IN and Valparaiso, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Bloomington scores 92 while Valparaiso scores 91 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 $1,142/month in Valparaiso — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Valparaiso is more affordable at $250,500 median vs $289,700.

Median household income in Bloomington is $48,918 compared to $67,664 in Valparaiso (-27.7%). Valparaiso 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 20.3% in Valparaiso.