Bloomington MN vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Bloomington +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Bloomington +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 26,509 | Bloomington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.7 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 8.6% | 3.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.9% | Bloomington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Rochester
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Rochester
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Rochester
1992
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 36.4% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.2% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.3% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 28.3 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Bloomington. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester 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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