Bloomington MN vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.0% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 69.9% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $67,631 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $42,272 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $52,606 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 15.7% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 53.6% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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