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Bloomington, MN

Stretch

The cost of living in Bloomington, MN is 9% above the national average (Cost Index: 109). Homes here are typically valued around $356,047, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $90,677 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Bloomington sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Bloomington.

Monthly Housing
$1,526/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
20%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$5,530/mo
After housing and debt · $1,843/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 27%
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Cost Index
109
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$356,047
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $346,200
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,526/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$90,677
National: $78,538
Population
88,838
Purchasing Power
106
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
117 / 100
17% above average
Rent Index
113 / 100
13% above average
Goods & Groceries
103 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
93 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
104 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
109
Average

Bloomington Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $356,047 and Minnesota's property tax rate of 1.11%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$90,677
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
20%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3.9x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Bloomington looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Bloomington, MN

Est. Annual Property Tax
$3,952
Monthly Impact
$329
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.11%
National avg: ~1.00%

Minnesota Place Tax Context

Tax TypeMinnesotaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.11%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate9.85%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.54%~5.0%

Compare Bloomington to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Bloomington, MN
109
113
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Bloomington, MN: 117
Rent Prices
113

FAQ: Living in Bloomington

What is the cost of living like in Bloomington, MN?+

Living costs in Bloomington land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 109 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $356,047, and typical monthly rents run around $1,526. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Bloomington fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,526, while local median household income is $90,677. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Bloomington, MN?+

Minnesota has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 9.85%. The effective property tax rate is 1.11%. On a home worth $356,047, that translates to roughly $3,952 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.54% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Bloomington, MN?+

The typical monthly rent in Bloomington is around $1,526. That's about 13% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $356,047, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Bloomington, MN?+

The median home in Bloomington is valued at $356,047. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,800/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 66% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Bloomington?+

Grocery prices in Bloomington are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 103, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 93). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Bloomington, MN like to live in?+

Bloomington is a smaller city with a population of about 88,838. The median age of residents is 40.8, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 9.07%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Minnesota

If Bloomington feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Minnesota

Use these city pages when you want to compare Bloomington against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly