Brooklyn Park MN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.4 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 4.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 30.2% | 1.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 2.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $57,074 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $534,732 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while brooklyn Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $351,849. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Brooklyn Park. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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