Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Brooklyn Park +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Brooklyn Park +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Brooklyn Park
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 84,349 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.4 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 25.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 25.6% | 37.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Black | 67.1% | 30.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 20.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 6.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $85,964 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,872 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 10.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 31.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $351,849 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 69.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
1992
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Brooklyn Park +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 29.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Brooklyn Park
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Brooklyn Park, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Brooklyn Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brooklyn Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA