Bloomington MN vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 57,088 | Bloomington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.7 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.4% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 66.8% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 6.1% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $87,277 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $41,024 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 11.0% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 32.2% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $1,274,801 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 57.2% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 383 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3409 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 28.2 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 383 in Kirkland. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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