Bloomington MN vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 72.7% | 39.1% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 7.1% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $75,134 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 16.8% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 45.5% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 32.6% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.0% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.0% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.0% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 36.5 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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 Houston, TXBloomington, MN vs Phoenix, AZBloomington, MN vs Philadelphia, PABloomington, MN vs San Antonio, TX