Bloomington MN vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Portland
12.4%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.6 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.4% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 70.1% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 5.8% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 8.1% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $88,792 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,691 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 12.8% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $538,687 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 52.8% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 355 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3001 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Portland
8.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 28.5% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.3% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.7% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.7% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 26.5 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, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. 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%.
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