CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IN vs Boulder, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Bloomington
95.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent

Bloomington is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bloomington, you would need $88,500 in Boulder. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+83.4%
Bloomington
85.6
Boulder
157
🛒 Groceries+1.9%
Bloomington
94.3
Boulder
96.1
🚗 Transportation+0.7%
Bloomington
104.1
Boulder
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+0.6%
Bloomington
94.2
Boulder
94.8
Utilities4.4%
Bloomington
86.5
Boulder
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Boulder, CO
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Boulder

Formula: salary × (105.2 ÷ 95.1) = salary × 1.1062. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Home Price
$288,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
85.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5×

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Boulder has 83.4% higher housing costs compared to Bloomington.

Income & Job Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Household Income
$58,700
Per Capita Income
$33,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
79,168
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyGovernmentRetail

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bloomington, IN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.