Blaine, MN vs Bloomington, MN

Blaine, MN and Bloomington, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Blaine scores 115 while Bloomington scores 111 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Blaine is $1,707/month compared to $1,526/month in Bloomington — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bloomington has cheaper rent, Blaine actually has lower median home values ($327,500 vs $346,200).

Median household income in Blaine is $103,382 compared to $90,677 in Bloomington (+14%). While Blaine is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Blaine spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Bloomington.