Brooklyn Park MN vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 11.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 30.2% | 17.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 2.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $65,526 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $33,953 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 18.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 54.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 36.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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
Brooklyn Park, MN vs New York, NYBrooklyn Park, MN vs Los Angeles, CABrooklyn Park, MN vs Chicago, ILBrooklyn Park, MN vs Houston, TXBrooklyn Park, MN vs Phoenix, AZBrooklyn Park, MN vs Philadelphia, PA