City Comparison
Elgin vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
50% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Elgin | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,100 | +50% |
| Groceries | $420 | $685 | -39% |
| Utilities | $170 | $391 | -57% |
| Transport | $130 | $300 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $120 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,596 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 5% lower 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 Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Elgin | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elgin runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elgin comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elgin is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Elgin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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