Bloomington MN vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Bloomington +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 41.6 | Bloomington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.8% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 8.6% | 4.8% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.6% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $93,371 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $39,604 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 7.8% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 31.0% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Surprise
79.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $422,520 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 79.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 29.4% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 32.8 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise 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%.
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