Bloomington MN vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
6.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.0% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 66.9% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 6.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $63,966 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $36,459 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,226 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.8% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 14.9% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 29.0% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 60.5% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Des Moines
296
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 296 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 39.4% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.8% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.0% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.8% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. 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%.
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