Median rent is 1% lower in Midland ($990/mo vs $1,004/mo). Buying is cheaper in Midland, where the median home runs $192,400 versus $198,800. Households earn more in Bloomington ($75,449 vs $74,906 a year). Taken together, Bloomington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.6 against 102.9 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Bloomington, IL
City B
Midland, MI
How much would you need to earn in Midland, MI to maintain your standard of living from Bloomington, IL?
Equivalent salary in Midland, MI
$75,213
You'd need $213 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bloomington
Illinois
Midland
Michigan
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,004/mo in Bloomington and $990/mo in Midland. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $198,800 in Bloomington and $192,400 in Midland.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 4.25% in Michigan, so Midland is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Michigan; Midland has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bloomington
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Midland
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Midland if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Bloomington cheaper than Midland?
Bloomington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.6 versus 102.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bloomington.
How much is rent in Bloomington vs Midland?
Median rent is $1,004/mo in Bloomington, IL and $990/mo in Midland, MI. Midland, MI has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Bloomington or Midland?
Median household income is $75,449 in Bloomington, IL and $74,906 in Midland, MI. Bloomington, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bloomington or Midland?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Michigan's is 4.25%. Midland, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Midland to match my Bloomington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bloomington, IL is equivalent to roughly $100,284 in Midland, MI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology