Bloomington MN vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 72.7% | 40.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.9% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $66,772 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $36,694 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $64,538 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.4% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 20.1% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 34.7% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $429,449 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 41.2% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 34.4% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.6% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.6% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 27.4 min | Bloomington + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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