Brooklyn Park MN vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $527,542 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 37.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.1% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 28.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | 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
Brooklyn Park +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $351,849. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Brooklyn Park. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brooklyn Park, MN vs New York, NYBrooklyn Park, MN vs Los Angeles, CABrooklyn Park, MN vs Chicago, ILBrooklyn Park, MN vs Houston, TXBrooklyn Park, MN vs Phoenix, AZBrooklyn Park, MN vs Philadelphia, PA