Brooklyn Park MN vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 7.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 30.2% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 3.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $64,017 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $37,433 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 17.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 45.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 39.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.4 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Brooklyn Park. 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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