Median rent is 6% lower in Columbia ($1,092/mo vs $1,160/mo). Buying is cheaper in Columbia, where the median home runs $261,700 versus $289,700. Households earn more in Columbia ($61,204 vs $48,918 a year). Taken together, Columbia is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.4 against 102.6 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Columbia, TN.
City A
Bloomington, IN
City B
Columbia, TN
How much would you need to earn in Columbia, TN to maintain your standard of living from Bloomington, IN?
Equivalent salary in Columbia, TN
$74,838
You could earn $162 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Columbia
Tennessee
👥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 rent is modestly lower in Columbia at $1,092/mo compared to $1,160/mo in Bloomington (6% gap). Median home values are within 10% of each other: $289,700 in Bloomington and $261,700 in Columbia.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Indiana tops out at 3.05% — giving Columbia a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Indiana and 7.00% in Tennessee; Columbia has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bloomington
Income tax: 3.05%
Sales tax: 7.00%
Columbia
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Columbia if you prioritize higher median household income ($61,204/yr).
Pick Columbia if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Bloomington cheaper than Columbia?
Columbia is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.4 versus 102.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Columbia.
How much is rent in Bloomington vs Columbia?
Median rent is $1,160/mo in Bloomington, IN and $1,092/mo in Columbia, TN. Columbia, TN has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Bloomington or Columbia?
Median household income is $48,918 in Bloomington, IN and $61,204 in Columbia, TN. Columbia, TN 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 Columbia?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Indiana has a top rate of 3.05%.
What salary do I need in Columbia to match my Bloomington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bloomington, IN is equivalent to roughly $99,784 in Columbia, TN (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