Median rent is 24% lower in Bloomington ($1,160/mo vs $1,526/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bloomington, where the median home runs $289,700 versus $346,200. Households earn more in Bloomington ($90,677 vs $48,918 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (102.6).
City A
Bloomington, IN
City B
Bloomington, MN
How much would you need to earn in Bloomington, MN to maintain your standard of living from Bloomington, IN?
Equivalent salary in Bloomington, MN
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Indiana
Bloomington
Minnesota
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Bloomington — median rent of $1,160/mo versus $1,526/mo in Bloomington, a 24% difference. Median home values are within 16% of each other: $289,700 in Bloomington and $346,200 in Bloomington.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Indiana's top income tax rate is 3.05% versus 9.85% in Minnesota, so Bloomington is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Indiana and 6.88% in Minnesota; Bloomington has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bloomington
Income tax: 3.05%
Sales tax: 7.00%
Bloomington
Income tax: 9.85%
Sales tax: 6.88%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,677/yr).
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,160/mo median).
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.05%).
Is Bloomington cheaper than Bloomington?
Bloomington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.6 versus 102.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bloomington.
How much is rent in Bloomington vs Bloomington?
Median rent is $1,160/mo in Bloomington, IN and $1,526/mo in Bloomington, MN. Bloomington, IN has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Bloomington or Bloomington?
Median household income is $48,918 in Bloomington, IN and $90,677 in Bloomington, MN. Bloomington, MN 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 Bloomington?
Indiana's top income tax rate is 3.05% and Minnesota's is 9.85%. Bloomington, IN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Bloomington to match my Bloomington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bloomington, IN is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Bloomington, MN (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