Bloomington MN vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.2% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 8.6% | 4.2% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $69,991 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $39,187 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $66,354 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 12.6% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 55.8% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 294 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 35.1% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 20.6% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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