Bloomington MN vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Portland
11.1%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 68,505 | Bloomington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.5 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.1% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $76,174 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,587 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 11.3% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $561,069 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 46.7% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 27.7% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.8% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.3% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 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