Salary Needed to Live in Bloomington as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $51,113/year to live comfortably in Bloomington, IL, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $51,113/year to live comfortably in Bloomington, IL. The bare-minimum salary is $44,205/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,076.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,726/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,259/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$51,113
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$44,205
$3,684/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,726
23% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Bloomington
| Expense | Bloomington | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $757 | $1,351 | -44% |
| Groceries | $234 | $207 | +13% |
| Utilities | $156 | $169 | -8% |
| Transportation | $298 | $316 | -6% |
| Car Insurance | $176 | $211 | -17% |
| Health Insurance | $523 | $630 | -17% |
| Internet | $59 | $65 | -9% |
| Phone | $77 | $85 | -9% |
| Dining & Social | $270 | $300 | -10% |
| Entertainment | $108 | $120 | -10% |
| Personal Care | $68 | $75 | -9% |
| Total Monthly | $2,726 | $3,529 | -23% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,726
Target savings (10%):$350/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,076
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$51,113
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$757
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus IL state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$350/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
90/100
Bloomington is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $757/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $582/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $44,205/year as the survival floor and $51,113/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Bloomington
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Bloomington?
A single person needs approximately $51,113/year ($4,259/month gross) to live comfortably in Bloomington with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Bloomington?
A studio/1br in Bloomington costs approximately $757/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Bloomington affordable for a single person?
Yes, Bloomington is 23% more affordable than the national average for a single person.