Bloomington 76 Excellent
Bloomington Livability #144 ranked city in Minnesota#3,317 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

  • 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Bloomington Area
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What's it like Living in Bloomington?

Bloomington is a medium-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 85,226 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Bloomington is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian.

Living in Bloomington can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Minnesota, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Bloomington and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Bloomington to Minnesota and the national average.

Using data and statistics Bloomington has received a livability score of 74 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 87th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Bloomington ranks well for education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Bloomington. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F) and cost of living (D).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Bloomington market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Bloomington is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Bloomington come in at $265,700, which is 38.7% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bloomington, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 13.3% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bloomington

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Compare Bloomington, MN Livability

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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).