Compare cities · September 2026
Brooklyn Center vs. Crystal
Homes in Crystal sold for a median $325,550 over the 12 months through September 2026, 7% more than in Brooklyn Center ($305,000). Homes sold faster in Crystal: 34 days on market on average, against 38 in Brooklyn Center. Crystal is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 15 minutes by car, against 17. The two are about 3 miles apart, roughly a 8-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Brooklyn Center | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $305,000 | $325,550 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.7% | +1.7% |
| Homes sold | 281 | 300 |
| Days on market | 38 | 34 |
| Share of original list price | 99.2% | 100.0% |
| Price per square foot | $178 | $200 |
| New listings | 399 | 401 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 74 | 65 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.2 | 2.6 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Brooklyn Center | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $274,300 | $296,100 |
| Median year built | 1962 | 1959 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 67% | 80% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64% | 77% |
| Median rent | $1,376 | $1,467 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Brooklyn Center | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 31,755 | 22,082 |
| Land area | 8 sq mi | 5.8 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 17 min | 15 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 27 min | 29 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 33 min | 30 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 30 min | 27 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 21 min | 20 min |
| Average commute to work | 22.1 min | 21.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 3 | 1 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Brooklyn Center
School districts: Brooklyn Center School District, Osseo Public School District, Robbinsdale Public School District, Anoka-Hennepin Public School District
Largest lakes: Twin Lakes (217 acres), Palmer Lake (25 acres), Ryan Lake (19 acres)
How we compare places: by their homes, housing market and location only, from public sources, never by who lives there. Medians describe the middle home; both places have homes well above and below them.
Quick answers
Brooklyn Center or Crystal?
Is Brooklyn Center or Crystal more expensive?
Crystal. The median sale price was $325,550 there and $305,000 in Brooklyn Center over the 12 months through September 2026, according to the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update. The median is the middle sale, so both have homes well above and below it.
Where do homes sell faster, Brooklyn Center or Crystal?
Crystal: 34 days on market on average against 38, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Crystal, about 15 minutes by car in light traffic (17 from Brooklyn Center). To downtown Saint Paul: 27 minutes from Brooklyn Center, 29 from Crystal.
How far apart are Brooklyn Center and Crystal?
About 3 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 8 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Brooklyn Center or Crystal?
Brooklyn Center has more: 3 lakes of 10+ acres touch Brooklyn Center (largest: Twin Lakes) and 1 touch Crystal (largest: Twin Lakes), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Brooklyn Center and Crystal?
Brooklyn Center: Brooklyn Center School District, Osseo Public School District, Robbinsdale Public School District and Anoka-Hennepin Public School District. Crystal: Robbinsdale Public School District. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Brooklyn Center or Crystal?
It depends on your budget, the kind of home you want and where you need to get to each day. This page compares the homes, prices and locations; a Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both and walk you through what's selling now.
Keep comparing
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Brooklyn Center and Crystal.
A Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both, tell you what's selling and for how much right now, and help you decide. There's no cost to buyers.