Brooklyn Park MN vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 5.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 30.2% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 2.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 5.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $55,653 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $54,550 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 7.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 23.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 47.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 34.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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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