Performance
Score Breakdown
Bloomington
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
94% higher compared to Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bloomington's average rent is
18% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Bloomington | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,338 | -18% |
| Groceries | $685 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $391 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,596 | $1,338 | +94% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers similar 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 Bloomington is estimated at
$44,700 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Bloomington | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $44,700 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,393 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $77,384 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bloomington | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bloomington.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bloomington | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bloomington is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bloomington | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,268 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bloomington
#28Illinois, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Moscow
#16Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bloomington and Moscow.
Open Cost Calculator