Brooklyn Park MN vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 41.5 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 37.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 30.2% | 6.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 9.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 2.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $78,429 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $37,315 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,052 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 10.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 31.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 471 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 36.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Brooklyn Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Brooklyn Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.5 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brooklyn Park leads in median household income at $85,964, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Brooklyn Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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