Living in Bloomington, IL offers a blend of small-town charm and urban amenities, with the convenience of being close to major urban centers. Located in Central Illinois, Bloomington is just a couple of hours' drive from Chicago, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy the benefits of a peaceful, scenic setting while having easy access to the bustling city life of Chicago. The city is known for its strong sense of community, historic neighborhoods, and thriving local economy.
Bloomington’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from classic American fare to international cuisine. The city’s downtown area is a vibrant hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, cafes, and entertainment venues. The annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Sweet Corn Circus are highlights of the year, bringing the community together to celebrate the region’s rich culture with performances, food, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Bloomington provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Miller Park and Ewing Park, offer scenic spots for hiking, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty of Illinois. The nearby Constitution Trail provides additional opportunities for walking, jogging, and cycling in a peaceful environment.
Bloomington is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to preserving its historical heritage. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Farmers' Market and the Downtown Bloomington Christmas Parade, which bring residents together to enjoy the community spirit and festive atmosphere. The city’s proximity to Chicago means that residents can easily access the amenities of a major city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to Illinois, Bloomington offers a perfect blend of small-town charm, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, community events, or easy access to Chicago, living in Bloomington, IL provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Bloomington is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 79,438 people. The majority of Bloomington residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Bloomington. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Bloomington, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Bloomington and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Bloomington to Illinois and the national average.
The livability score in Bloomington is 76 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 89th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Bloomington is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Bloomington ranks very well for cost of living (A), employment (A-) and housing (A+).
The unemployment rate in Bloomington has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.1%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Bloomington excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Bloomington. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Bloomington are affordable. The median home price for Bloomington homes is $298,337, which is 3.3% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bloomington, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 11.4% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Bloomington | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.0% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.9% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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