Bloomington MN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.4 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.8% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 8.6% | 1.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.1% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $98,686 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $57,074 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $534,732 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 76.1% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 28.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.5% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.6% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
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, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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