Bloomington MN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bloomington
71,261
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Washington
13.3%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.3% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 39.1% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 4.1% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 14.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $580,173 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 41.1% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.6% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 24.0% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | 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
Bloomington +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 32.8 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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