Bloomington MN vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.4% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 8.6% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $90,038 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $54,550 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 12.0% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $593,739 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 55.6% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | 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%
Bloomington +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 28.7% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.1% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.7% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 22.9% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
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 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bloomington, MN vs New York, NYBloomington, MN vs Los Angeles, CABloomington, MN vs Chicago, ILBloomington, MN vs Houston, TXBloomington, MN vs Phoenix, AZBloomington, MN vs Philadelphia, PA