Cost of Living in Bloomington, IN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $990 (excluding rent), and $2,318 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,230 (excluding rent), and $3,944 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.22 $15.22

$10.15 $10.15

$30.44 $30.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.9 $58.9

$39.23 $39.23

$105 $105

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.83 $7.83

$11.74 $11.74

Cappuccino

$4.43 $4.43

$2.03 $2.03

$6.1 $6.1

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.48 $1.48

$4.93 $4.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.4 $1.4

$1.02 $1.02

$5.12 $5.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.13 $5.13

$3.08 $3.08

$10.26 $10.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.47 $5.47

$4.26 $4.26

$11.93 $11.93

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 $0.76

$0.58 $0.58

$1.03 $1.03

White Bread (500g)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.01 $2.01

$5.07 $5.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$2.14 $2.14

$6.78 $6.78

Eggs

$3.35 $3.35

$1.94 $1.94

$7.19 $7.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.19 $10.19

$8.68 $8.68

$17.33 $17.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.47 $9.47

$4.38 $4.38

$15.36 $15.36

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.87 $10.87

$39.03 $39.03

Apples (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$2.95 $2.95

$8.86 $8.86

Banana (1kg)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.87 $0.87

$3.27 $3.27

Oranges (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.02 $1.02

$7.84 $7.84

Tomato (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$2.76 $2.76

$6.4 $6.4

Potato (1kg)

$2 $2

$0.64 $0.64

$6.43 $6.43

Onion (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$2.15 $2.15

$4.34 $4.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.31 $1.31

$2.01 $2.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.61 $0.61

$3.05 $3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.01 $8.01

$6.22 $6.22

$9.79 $9.79

Wine (Bottle)

$11.31 $11.31

$8.75 $8.75

$15.73 $15.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.75 $1.75

$2.6 $2.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.5 $1.5

$8.06 $8.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 $0.98

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.16 $30.16

$30.05 $30.05

$30.26 $30.26

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.66 $3.66

$5.57 $5.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.03 $1.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.78 $17.78

$29.63 $29.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.8 $0.8

$0.68 $0.68

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$23.9K $23.9K

$36.8K $36.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$24.3K $24.3K

$26.7K $26.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$118 $118

$79.1 $79.1

$588 $588

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$57.4 $57.4

$35.34 $35.34

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.8 $56.8

$45.37 $45.37

$85.7 $85.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.04 $40.04

$25.02 $25.02

$55.1 $55.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.93 $9.93

Cinema Ticket

$12.1 $12.1

$12.09 $12.09

$16.13 $16.13

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,416 $1,416

$1,663 $1,663

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.3K $17.3K

$8,928 $8,928

$19.4K $19.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.67 $39.67

$29.75 $29.75

$54.6 $54.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.73 $40.73

$34.62 $34.62

$76.4 $76.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.9 $89.9

$65.8 $65.8

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 $101

$70.2 $70.2

$120 $120

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,597 $1,597

$1,397 $1,397

$1,797 $1,797

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,345 $1,345

$1,110 $1,110

$1,513 $1,513

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,194 $2,194

$1,768 $1,768

$2,456 $2,456

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,730 $1,730

$1,363 $1,363

$2,222 $2,222

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,130 $2,130

$2,080 $2,080

$2,228 $2,228

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,085 $2,085

$2,005 $2,005

$2,125 $2,125

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,638 $3,638

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

5.8

7.4

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 28, 2025

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Bloomington, IN - Frequently Asked Questions

Bloomington offers a balanced mix for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Compared with major metro areas, everyday costs like groceries and dining can feel friendlier, but housing near the university often dominates the budget. Cost of Living in Bloomington, IN, United States is nuanced: a compact, walkable town with easy access to nature, reliable services, and a strong local scene can stretch your funds further when you share housing, shop at farmers’ markets, and rely on bike-friendly streets. Tip: Plan to base your stay around a few neighborhood options to compare vibe and commute times before you sign a long-term lease.

Daily life in Bloomington blends campus energy with a small-town rhythm. Housing options range from near-campus studios to quiet family homes in the north and east, with many sublet opportunities during transition months. For food, farmers markets, cooperatives, and a mix of affordable eateries keep options diverse and wallet-friendly; cooking at home often saves more than casual dining. Transport leans bike-friendly with good sidewalks and a 24/7 bus network for occasional trips. Co-working spaces and cafes support remote work, while errands cluster around the downtown core and campus areas. Knowing Bloomington, IN, United States living cost helps you tailor your route and choose a neighborhood that fits your routine. Tip: Track your expenses and explore neighborhoods by season.

A thoughtful approach to quality of life in Bloomington centers on balancing your fixed needs with flexible spending. Use a simple budgeting framework that tracks housing and utilities first, then groceries, transit, and leisure. Build a small buffer for seasonal shifts like heating in winter and occasional utility spikes, without relying on exact figures. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown and campus-adjacent areas favor short walks to work or co-working, while the east and north offer quieter streets and parks. Embrace local renting rhythms, look for inclusive leases, and tap community libraries or meetup spaces to stretch your days. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods that cut commute time and maximize access to nature and culture.