Bloomington 76 Exceptional
Bloomington Livability #152 ranked city in Illinois#3,036 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Bloomington

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Bloomington?

Bloomington, Illinois is a mid-sized city with a population of 77,725 inhabitants. 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.

Living in Bloomington can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, 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.

Using data and statistics Bloomington has received a livability score of 75/100. This score is ranked in the 89th percentile when compared to all other cities. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Bloomington could be a great choice! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Bloomington has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B), cost of living (A-), employment (B+) and housing (B+).

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Bloomington, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.98% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Bloomington can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Bloomington is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Bloomington come in at $165,300, which is 5.4% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bloomington, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 16.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bloomington

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Bloomington?

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Compare Bloomington, IL Livability

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      Bloomington transportation information

      Statistic Bloomington Illinois National
      Average one way commute16min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.0%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.2%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Bloomington, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).