Brooklyn Park MN vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 18.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 30.2% | 16.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 17.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $73,055 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.9% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 15.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 53.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Saint Paul
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Saint Paul
1992
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Brooklyn Park. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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