Bloomington, MN vs Rochester, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rochester is 15.8% cheaper than Bloomington. With a cost index of 96 vs 111, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rochester to Bloomington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,526/month compared to $1,316/month in Rochester — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rochester is more affordable at $287,500 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Bloomington is $90,677 compared to $87,767 in Rochester (+3.3%). Bloomington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Rochester.