CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IL vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Bloomington
93.5
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Bloomington is significantly cheaper than Washington — 16.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bloomington, you would need $93,200 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+102.3%
Bloomington
74.7
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+12.0%
Bloomington
93.6
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
Bloomington
104.6
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Bloomington
94.6
Washington
97.2
Utilities+19.1%
Bloomington
89.6
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$93,200
$13,200 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 93.5) = salary × 1.1647. 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×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 102.3% higher housing costs compared to Bloomington.

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

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

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)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.