Brooklyn Park MN vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
11.6%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 11.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 30.2% | 7.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 8.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $76,983 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,837 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 16.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $429,253 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 46.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 309 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 32.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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