Bloomington, IN Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Bloomington, IN: What You Need to Know

Sports fans throughout the country associate Bloomington with Indiana University and the Hoosiers team, a powerhouse in NCAA men’s basketball.

Schools and Higher Education

Indiana University (43,503), founded in 1820, offers more than 200 majors across 12 schools. It’s the flagship campus of seven campuses and two regional centers. Bloomington rallies around the Hoosiers athletic teams, especially the basketball team, which has won five NCAA championships. In all, there are 69 universities within 100 miles of the city. Bloomington’s 25 public schools (12,262 students) tout an average math proficiency score of 65% versus Indiana’s average of 54%, and a reading proficiency score of 72% versus the 62% state average.

Local History

In 1816, President James Madison chose the area as the site of a seminary, which later became Indiana University. It paved the way for Bloomington’s establishment in 1818. The city got its name for being "a haven of blooms." Its location on an established trading route and abundance of spring water attracted many settlers. They thrived as farmers, and they also relied on the extraction of limestone and timbering as sources of income.

Cost of Living

Affordability is one of the biggest advantages of living in a small city like Bloomington (population: 85,755). Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 2.4%, 7.3%, and 5.9% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in Bloomington is $887. In the Hoosier State, residents pay a flat income tax of 3.23% and county taxes of up to 3.38%. Indiana levies 7% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

As can be expected in a college town, the majority (65%) of Bloomington residents rent. Neighborhoods near Indiana University such as Maple Heights and Green Acres offer affordable housing options. If you’re looking for a suburban community with excellent schools, Clear Creek and Van Buren Township are less than nine miles from Bloomington. Van Buren Township is known for its Popcorn Festival.

Local Weather

Bloomington gets an average of 48 inches of rain per year versus the U.S. average of 38 inches, and only 184 sunny days annually compared with the national average of 205 sunny days. Heavy rains sometimes cause flooding, such as on June 4, 2008, when a major thunderstorm brought intense rains, high winds, and hail to an already saturated ground, resulting in flash floods. On the upside, Bloomington gets only about 17 inches of snow a year, lower than the national average of 28 inches.