Austin TX vs Bloomington MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Bloomington
14.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 71,261 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Bloomington
$44,640
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Bloomington
36.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,640 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 36.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Bloomington
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Bloomington
11.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.2% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.0 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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