Bloomington MN vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 67,231 | Bloomington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 42.5 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 72.7% | 48.4% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 2.2% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 7.1% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $1,215,642 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 54.2% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Pasadena
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.7% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.9% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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