Brooklyn Park MN vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 37.5% | 21.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Black | 30.2% | 1.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 5.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $28,813 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.7% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 14.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 15.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $751,711 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 47.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 32.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 22.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.8 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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