Bloomington MN vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 39.8 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 72.7% | 60.1% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 7.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Cary
66.3%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $629,864 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 66.3% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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