Below Average CostSafer than AverageMonroe County Community Sch Corp
Bloomington IN Kirkwood · Yahala / CC BY-SA 3.0IUSampleGates · McAnt / CC BY-SA 3.0Buskirk-Chumley Theater · Geoffrey McKim / CC BY-SA 2.0IU Art Museum · Kzollman (Kevin J.S. Zollman). / CC BY-SA 3.0
Bloomington is a mid-sized city of 79,006 in Indiana, with a median household income of $46,543
and a 6.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bloomington stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bloomington is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bloomington city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 93.4
Bloomington's overall cost of living index is 93.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bloomington costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bloomington, IN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$267,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,112
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
35.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,543
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Bloomington's violent crime rate is 286.9 per 100,000 residents
— 25% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
286.9 /100k
Property Crime
2718.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bloomington is served primarily by Monroe County Community Sch Corp.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bloomington, IN
National Avg
School District
Monroe County Community Sch Corp
—
Elementary Schools
14
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
59.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bloomington sees average highs of 37.0°F in January
and 85.1°F in July,
with 49.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 17.5 inches of snow per year.
Bloomington's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bloomington roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $267,900 and median rent is $1,112/month.
Bloomington's violent crime rate is 286.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2718.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bloomington are operated by Monroe County Community Sch Corp.
The district has 14 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 59.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bloomington, IN has a population of 79,006, a median household income of $46,543, and an unemployment rate of 6.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bloomington averages 37.0°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.4 inches
with about 17.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bloomington, IN is covered by 5 ZIP codes: 47408, 47403, 47404, 47406, 47405.
The population of Bloomington, Indiana is 79,006 with a median age of 24.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bloomington: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $267,900, median household income $46,543, crime index 97 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bloomington side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
