Living in Bloomington, IN
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Bloomington, IN? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Bloomington, IN

Home to the Hoosiers, Bloomington, IN, is beautiful! Seriously, if you go, you get it. Everyone who visits the city raves about the lush landscape, global dining options, craft brewery scene and various arts and activities. As the seat of Monroe County, the city also has a charming Courthouse Square filled with local shops, boutiques and cafes. 

Those living in Bloomington get to enjoy perks that come with a college town — youthful energy, team spirit and campus amenities shared with the public, like thought-provoking films shown at IU Cinema and free admission to see works by Picasso, Monet and more at the Eskenazi Museum of Art.

Indiana University is also a significant economic development engine as one of the nation’s premier research institutes. However, high-ranking higher education is just one of many reasons Bloomington is one of the best places to live in the country. Other things that make life great for the 80,429 people who live here include a fantastic culinary scene with 75 international restaurants, a walkable downtown and a shared love for arts and culture. Bloomington is also a bike-friendly city, and the university hosts the Little 500, the largest collegiate bike race in the country. The city is also a great place to put down roots and raise a family because there are A+ schools, an award-winning children’s museum and amazing places to play, like Switchyard Park, which has rock walls and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round.

Bloomington is a charming college town in southern Indiana, about 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis, where State Road 37 and State Road 46 converge. For regional flights, Monroe County Airport is 5 miles west, but Indianapolis International Airport is an easy 50-mile drive. When you’re ready to explore beyond, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:  

• Indianapolis, IN, is 50 miles northeast; catch the Indy 500, explore the Children’s Museum or wander the White River State Park.
• Louisville, KY, is roughly 100 miles south; tour Churchill Downs, sip bourbon at Evan Williams or stroll Waterfront Park.  
• Cincinnati, OH, sits 130 miles southeast; visit the Cincinnati Zoo, stroll Over-the-Rhine or admire the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

The area enjoys four distinct seasons, with summers that are warm and humid and winters that typically see lows in the 20s. The average highs and lows are 84°F and 64°F (summer) and 40°F and 23°F (winter).

Heavily influenced by the presence of Indiana University, Bloomington’s economy reflects the active and youthful spirit on campus. The city has a strong presence in many sectors, but three of the largest are education, health care and manufacturing. Unsurprisingly, Indiana University and IU Health Bloomington Hospital are two of the largest local employers. Other large employers include the City of Bloomington, Monroe County Community School Corporation and Cook Group, a medical device manufacturer headquartered in the area. If you’re looking to start somewhere fresh and need a little financial incentive, the city offers new residents up to $8,000 to move there.

The cost of living in Bloomington is slightly higher than the national average. The median home value in Bloomington is $448,943, and the average household income is $202,490. 

Indiana residents pay a state income tax, and local residents can expect a 7.0% sales tax rate in 2025.

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Bloomington is booming! The city’s downtown area, including Kirkwood Avenue and The Square, is where local shops, restaurants and bars are concentrated. Art enthusiasts can explore the Eskenazi Museum of Art and various art galleries, while live music venues and theaters like the Buskirk-Chumley Theater provide diverse entertainment options.

History buffs have the Monroe County History Center and the Lilly Library, and families can enjoy attractions like the WonderLab Museum and Switchyard Park. The city has festivals all year, and being home to Indiana University means there are tons of cultural and sports events, like Hoosiers basketball games at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Get out and about in Bloomington, a place with a lot of outdoor options, thanks to its hills, forests and lakes. Hike, camp and ride horses in the Hoosier National Forest, or enjoy boating, fishing and swimming at Monroe Lake. Bloomington also has tons of trails, including the popular B-Line Trail, which is ideal for walking, jogging and biking. The more rugged trails at Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests are also favorite spots.

For more relaxed recreation, Bryan Park, Lower Cascades Park and Switchyard Park offer playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails. Griffy Lake is a good place for fishing and canoeing, and the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center is a peaceful place to relax. Golfers can play at the Pfau Course, and nature fans can check out the protected flora and fauna at the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.

Bite into Bloomington, which boasts an eclectic food scene that comes from the innovative spirit of a college town. There’s everything from farm-to-table places like Farm Bloomington to all sorts of international foods and cozy cafes. Local breweries like Upland Brewing Co. and Cardinal Spirits distillery contribute to a thriving craft beverage culture, offering unique flavors and experiences. Many restaurants focus on local ingredients and sustainable practices, enhancing the quality and appeal of Bloomington’s culinary offerings.

The city’s wine scene is in full bloom, with Oliver Winery producing nationally recognized wines. The city’s breweries and distilleries are not just places to drink but also hubs for community gatherings and learning, offering tours and tastings that highlight the dedication to craft. The mix of new flavors, good ingredients and friendly places makes the local food and drink scene something special.

Bloomington is a great place to raise a family for many reasons, including the community’s strong focus on education. Monroe County Community School Corporation is a highly rated public school district representing more than 10,000 students in the area. MCCSC offers a few specialty schools, like the Bloomington Project School, which offers project-based learning, and International Baccalaureate programs at some schools. There are excellent private schools here, too, ranging from religious to non-sectarian to specialized. The Harmony School is a private school for grades PK-12 known for its progressive approach to education.