Illinois · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Bloomington, IL

The median household in Bloomington, IL earns $77,384 a year ($6,449/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,302/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $52,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$77,384$6,449 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,302HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.5-6.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Census Population78,907Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Bloomington, IL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,302Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,935At 30% of $77,384
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Bloomington, IL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Bloomington, IL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Bloomington, IL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$927$11,124$37,08014.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$999$11,988$39,96015.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,302$15,624$52,08020.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,717$20,604$68,68026.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,724$20,688$68,96026.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Bloomington, IL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Bloomington, IL

Based on the local median household income of $77,384/year ($6,449/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,224/moRent ($1,302 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,935/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,290/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Illinois state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$77,384
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,384
Net 77%
Fed 11%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$59,584After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,965Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,292Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,194 / yr
Illinois state income tax$3,686 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,920 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Illinois with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bloomington, IL

What is the median household income in Bloomington, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bloomington, IL is $77,384 per year (approximately $6,449 per month).

What is the average rent in Bloomington, IL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Bloomington, IL are $927 for a studio, $999 for 1 bedroom, $1,302 for 2 bedrooms, $1,717 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,724 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Bloomington, IL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Bloomington, IL is 93.5 (6.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bloomington, IL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,302/month) in Bloomington, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $52,080 per year ($4,340 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Bloomington, IL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $77,384/year ($6,449/month) in Bloomington, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,224/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,935/month to discretionary spending, and $1,290/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Bloomington, IL?

Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $179 per month.