1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bloomington, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bloomington, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +39% lower than the citywide median of $1,368 and +40% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bloomington
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bloomington
Compare Bloomington's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $646 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Marion | $780 |
| 10 | Normal | $790 |
| 11 | Carbondale | $800 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bloomington.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bloomington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, IL | 34.8 mi | $830 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Decatur, IL | 42.2 mi | $800 | $-40 (-5%) |
| Peoria, IL | 48.4 mi | $813 | $-27 (-3%) |
| Champaign, IL | 53.8 mi | $1,040 | +$200 (+24%) |
| Savoy, IL | 57.3 mi | $850 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Rantoul, IL | 57.3 mi | $646 | $-194 (-23%) |
| Urbana, IL | 59.4 mi | $875 | +$35 (+4%) |
| Ottawa, IL | 62.4 mi | $820 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Springfield, IL | 65.8 mi | $890 | +$50 (+6%) |
| Chatham, IL | 75.4 mi | $1,120 | +$280 (+33%) |
| Kankakee, IL | 85.9 mi | $870 | +$30 (+4%) |
| Yorkville, IL | 86.7 mi | $1,330 | +$490 (+58%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bloomington — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bloomington?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bloomington, Illinois is $840 per month. This is +39% below the citywide median of $1,368.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bloomington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $33,600 ($2,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bloomington expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bloomington's 1-bedroom median of $840 is +40% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 8th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bloomington rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Bloomington ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bloomington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Washington ($830), Decatur ($800), Peoria ($813).