Bloomington

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Bloomington, IN

Area Guide

This city boasts bike-friendliness, nature access, and international cuisines

University Nature Bicycle-Friendly Hip Diverse

Located in south-central Indiana, Bloomington combines college-town energy with small-town appeal. As home to Indiana University's main campus with its 45,000 students, the city offers rich cultural and educational opportunities. The downtown area features both contemporary and historic buildings, anchored by the limestone Sample Gates that welcome visitors to IU's campus. Housing options include apartments near campus and residential neighborhoods throughout the city. Currently, renters can expect to pay around $1,116 for a one-bedroom apartment, with rental rates showing a modest annual increase of about 3.3%.

Bloomington's dedication to preserving green spaces earned its Tree City USA designation in 1984. The B-Line Trail connects downtown destinations, while Griffy Lake Nature Preserve and Lake Monroe provide hiking trails, boating, and fishing. Cultural attractions include performances at the restored 1922 Buskirk-Chumley Theater and exhibits at the Eskenazi Museum of Art. Notable areas include the Prospect Hill Historic District, known for its preserved architecture, and the downtown district, where apartments stand alongside local businesses. The city gained fame as the setting for "Breaking Away" (1979), highlighting the annual Little 500 bicycle race that remains a celebrated tradition.

Explore the City

The downtown district of Bloomington offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy.

Monroe Lake offers outdoor fun in South Bloomington.

Indiana University is the city's largest employer with around 12,000 faculty members.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Bloomington, IN is $977 for a studio, $1,125 for one bedroom, $1,310 for two bedrooms, and $1,768 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bloomington has increased by 0.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,125/month
664 Sq Ft
House
$2,975/month
1,380 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,553/month
870 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,962/month
1,370 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bloomington, IN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bloomington, IN is 0.1% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Bloomington is 0.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $977 - $1,768. You can expect to pay 0.5% less for groceries, 10.2% less for utilities, and 3.5% more for transportation.

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Transportation

46

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

19

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

51

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

University Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

596 Students

Childs Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

483 Students

Lakeview Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

404 Students

Marlin Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

204 Students

Binford Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

475 Students

Jackson Creek Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

524 Students

Tri-North Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

574 Students

Lora L Batchelor Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

477 Students

Bloomington Graduation School

Public

Grades 7-12

100 Students

Bloomington High School South

Public

Grades 9-12

1,649 Students

The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship

Public

Grades 9-12

77 Students

Bloomington High School North

Public

Grades 9-12

1,590 Students

Bloomington Graduation School

Public

Grades 7-12

100 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology
  • Kirkwood Observatory
  • Hilltop Garden and Nature Center
  • Clear Creek Trail
  • Sycamore Land Trust

Colleges

Top Apartments in Bloomington

Houses for Rent in Bloomington

Property Management Companies in Bloomington, IN

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.