Berkeley CA vs Brooklyn Park MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Brooklyn Park, MN
Minnesota · Population: 84,349
- Median HH Income$85,964
- Median Home Price$351,849
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Brooklyn Park
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 84,349 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 25.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 54.8% | 37.5% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 30.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 20.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 6.4% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $85,964 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $37,872 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 31.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $351,849 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 69.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 29.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Brooklyn Park
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.1 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while brooklyn Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $351,849. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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