Bloomington 76 Excellent
Bloomington Livability #159 ranked city in Minnesota#3,453 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas
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Bloomington, MN - A Hub of Commerce and Nature

Living in Bloomington, MN offers a perfect blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Known for being home to the Mall of America, one of the largest shopping centers in the United States, Bloomington is a hub of commerce and entertainment. The city’s retail offerings are complemented by a vibrant dining scene, with a variety of restaurants offering everything from international cuisine to local Minnesota favorites.

Bloomington’s location along the Minnesota River provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers scenic trails for hiking and birdwatching, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The city’s parks, including Hyland Lake Park Reserve and Normandale Lake Park, are popular spots for picnics, sports, and family gatherings.

For those who enjoy arts and culture, Bloomington has much to offer. The Bloomington Center for the Arts hosts a variety of performances, from theater to live music, and is a cultural hub for the community. The city’s proximity to Minneapolis also provides easy access to a wealth of cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and theaters.

Bloomington is also known for its strong sense of community and excellent schools. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Winter Fete, which celebrates the snowy season with ice skating, bonfires, and winter sports. The local schools are highly regarded, making Bloomington a popular choice for families.

For those considering a move to Minnesota, Bloomington offers a perfect blend of urban convenience, natural beauty, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its retail attractions, outdoor activities, or cultural events, living in Bloomington, MN provides a dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Bloomington

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Bloomington?

Bloomington, Minnesota is a medium-sized city with a population of 87,234 people. According to the most recent Census, 71% of Bloomington residents are White, 10% Black and 6% Asian.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Bloomington, Minnesota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Bloomington and in the areas around Bloomington is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 76 out of 100, Bloomington is ranked #3,317 in the United States and #144 in Minnesota. This is a phenomenal score, as Bloomington ranks well in multiple categories! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Bloomington scores well for education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Bloomington ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and crime (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Bloomington has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Bloomington is real estate affordability. The median home price for Bloomington homes is $470,890, which is 38.9% higher than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bloomington, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 10.8% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bloomington

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      Bloomington transportation information

      Statistic Bloomington Minnesota National
      Average one way commute22min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.5%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.0%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home9.0%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Bloomington, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.