City Comparison
Arlington Heights vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington Heights
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Arlington Heights.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington Heights's average rent is
68% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,100 | +68% |
| Groceries | $420 | $685 | -39% |
| Utilities | $175 | $391 | -55% |
| Transport | $130 | $300 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $120 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,596 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arlington Heights offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arlington Heights is estimated at
$62,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $105,845 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington Heights runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington Heights comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington Heights sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington Heights leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bloomington is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Arlington Heights.
From a growth perspective, Arlington Heights is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Arlington Heights has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,101 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington Heights
Advantages
Direct Metra train service to downtown Chicago provides an efficient commute for working professionals.
Consistently top-ranked public school districts draw many families to the area.
A vibrant, walkable downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
Exceptional public safety record with crime rates well below the national average.
An extensive local park district operating numerous neighborhood parks, pools, and community programs.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Illinois and Arlington Heights are notably higher than the national average.
Housing inventory can be tight and competitive, driving up purchasing costs for single-family homes.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring regular snow removal and winter preparedness.
Car dependency is moderate to high outside of the immediate downtown district.
Traffic congestion can be heavy during peak rush hours along major regional arteries like Route 14 and I-90.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Arlington Heights
#158Illinois, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
75
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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