CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IN vs Indianapolis, IN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Bloomington
95.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
IN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Bloomington is slightly cheaper than Indianapolis — 0.6% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.9%
Bloomington
85.6
Indianapolis
88.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bloomington
94.3
Indianapolis
94.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Bloomington
104.1
Indianapolis
104.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Bloomington
94.2
Indianapolis
94.2
Utilities≈ Equal
Bloomington
86.5
Indianapolis
86.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Indianapolis, IN
$80,500
$500 more needed in Indianapolis

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 95.1) = salary × 1.0063. 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×

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price
$283,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
88.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Indianapolis has 3.9% 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

Indianapolis, IN

Median Household Income
$77,900
Per Capita Income
$44,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
887,642
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceLogisticsSports

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)

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×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.