Bloomington MN vs Boise ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Boise
7.2%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.2 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.2% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 8.6% | 1.4% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.4% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $81,308 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $57,074 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 10.6% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $504,894 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 63.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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