Brooklyn Park MN vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brooklyn Park
84,349
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Brooklyn Park
35.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Brooklyn Park
25.9%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Brooklyn Park
37.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Brooklyn Park
30.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Brooklyn Park
20.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Brooklyn Park
6.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,349 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 14.5% | Brooklyn Park + |
| White | 37.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 30.2% | 2.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Asian | 20.0% | 5.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Hispanic | 6.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brooklyn Park
$85,964
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Brooklyn Park
$37,872
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brooklyn Park
$69,467
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Brooklyn Park
3.7%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Brooklyn Park
10.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brooklyn Park
31.7%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,964 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,872 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.6% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
$351,849
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Brooklyn Park
69.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $351,849 | $505,085 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
284
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brooklyn Park
1992
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 512 | Brooklyn Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3234 | Brooklyn Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
29.2%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
9.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
10.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
16.0%
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brooklyn Park
14.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 31.8% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | Brooklyn Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.2% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Brooklyn Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brooklyn Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brooklyn Park
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brooklyn Park
24.1 min
Brooklyn Park +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Brooklyn Park, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Brooklyn Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Brooklyn Park has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brooklyn Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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