Brooklyn Park MN vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 81,679 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.2 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 4.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 30.2% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 2.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 4.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $56,864 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $35,847 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $55,297 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 23.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 29.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 61.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 643 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2824 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 45.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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