Brooklyn Park MN vs Hayward CA — 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%
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.2 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 37.5% | 19.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Black | 30.2% | 9.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $847,838 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 57.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 36.7 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, 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 Hayward. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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