Bloomington MN vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 59.2% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 6.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $45,611 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $30,282 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,328 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.8% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 28.0% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 38.5% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 324 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 31.2% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 21.3% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.9% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.8% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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