City Comparison
Skokie vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Skokie
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Skokie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Skokie's average rent is
59% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Skokie | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,100 | +59% |
| Groceries | $420 | $685 | -39% |
| Utilities | $175 | $391 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $300 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $120 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,685 | $2,596 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Skokie 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 Skokie is estimated at
$62,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Skokie | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $85,400 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Skokie runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Skokie comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 28 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Skokie | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Skokie.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Skokie | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 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 Skokie.
From a growth perspective, Skokie 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 | Skokie | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,824 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
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.
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
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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