Bloomington MN vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 72.7% | 21.8% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 1.4% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.7% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $89,150 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $28,813 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 15.5% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $751,711 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 47.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, 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%
Bloomington +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 32.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 22.4% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 28.8 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, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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