Bloomington MN vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $62,696 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $530,668 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 460 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2417 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 28.6% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.8% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.1% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.8% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.7% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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