Bloomington MN vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.7% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 44.0% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.7% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $64,017 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $37,433 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 17.3% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 32.7% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 45.7% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 39.9% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.4% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.9% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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