CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IL vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Bloomington
93.5
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Bloomington — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bloomington, you would need $76,000 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing13.0%
Bloomington
74.7
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bloomington
93.6
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation5.8%
Bloomington
104.6
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.8%
Bloomington
94.6
Topeka
89.1
Utilities0.8%
Bloomington
89.6
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bloomington to see what you'd need to earn in Topeka to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 93.5) = salary × 0.9497. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bloomington, IL

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
74.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Topeka, KS

Median Home Price
$204,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
65
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1×

Bloomington has 13.0% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Bloomington, IL

Median Household Income
$77,200
Per Capita Income
$44,000
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
78,902
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceEducationHealthcareManufacturing

Topeka, KS

Median Household Income
$65,300
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
125,310
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bloomington, IL
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.