Median rent is 14% lower in Bloomington ($1,561/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bloomington, where the median home runs $361,700 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Bloomington ($93,211 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Bloomington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 104.3 against 112.6 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Bloomington, MN.
Cost of living verdict
Bloomington is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 104.3 in Bloomington vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
Bloomington, MN
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Bloomington, MN?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$80,999
You'd need $5,999 more (8% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Bloomington
Minnesota
New York
New York
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Bloomington at $1,561/mo compared to $1,821/mo in New York (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $361,700 in Bloomington — 53% more expensive.
Metric
Bloomington
New York
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Bloomington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Bloomington.
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 104.3 vs 112.6).
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,211/yr).
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,561/mo median).
Bloomington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 104.3 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Bloomington.
Median rent is $1,561/mo in Bloomington, MN and $1,821/mo in New York, NY. Bloomington, MN has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $93,211 in Bloomington, MN and $80,483 in New York, NY. Bloomington, MN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bloomington, MN is equivalent to roughly $107,999 in New York, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
