Bloomington MN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 72.7% | 61.8% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 6.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 9.9% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $871,599 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 44.3% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 383 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3409 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.3% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.0% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 28.8 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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