Bloomington MN vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.6% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 53.6% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.1% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $62,995 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $36,194 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,697 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.2% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 15.7% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 34.2% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 55.3% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 370 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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