Bloomington MN vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Denver
13.9%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.9% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 62.9% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.6% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $91,681 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 11.2% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $541,899 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 49.1% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.5% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.3% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 25.9% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 27.4 min | Bloomington + |
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 Denver. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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