Baltimore MD 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)

Baltimore, MD

Maryland · Population: 577,193

  • Median HH Income$59,623
  • Median Home Price$191,668
  • Unemployment6.6%
  • Bachelor's+35.4%

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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Bloomington
8.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Bloomington
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Bloomington
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Bloomington
$366,438
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Bloomington
1992

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Bloomington
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Bloomington
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +

Which City is Right for You?

Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Baltimore & Bloomington