Bloomington MN vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 106,274 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 10.2% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 8.6% | 1.1% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.8% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $85,364 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 21.8% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $970,905 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 47.9% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 512 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3234 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.9% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.8% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
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 512 in Boulder. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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