Bloomington MN vs Duluth MN — 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%
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Duluth
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Duluth
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Duluth
N/A
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Duluth
N/A
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Duluth
N/A
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Duluth
N/A
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Duluth
N/A
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Duluth
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Duluth
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Duluth
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Duluth
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $292,800 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Duluth
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Duluth
1992
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Duluth
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Duluth
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Duluth
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Duluth
20.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Duluth
15.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 35.1% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.0% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.7% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.3% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 20.1% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Duluth
39.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Duluth
31.0 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 31.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Duluth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Duluth 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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