Brooklyn Park MN vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brooklyn Park, MN
Minnesota · Population: 84,349
- Median HH Income$85,964
- Median Home Price$351,849
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 20.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 30.2% | 28.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 7.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $75,134 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 7.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 16.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 45.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Chicago
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 32.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 36.5 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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%.
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