Signals
Brainerd
Bangor
Growth
74 · Top 13%
vs59 · Top 35%
Climate
49 · Bottom 2%
vs49 · Bottom 2%
Physical resilience
76 · Top 20%
vs84 · Top 10%
Housing affordability
86 · Bottom 28%
vs96 · Top 47%
Access
36 · Bottom 5%
vs70 · Bottom 38%
Economic stability
44 · Bottom 41%
vs43 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Brainerd | Bangor | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,678 | 154,710 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,384 | $66,356 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,807 | $37,915 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 33/sq mi | 46/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $301,000 | $214,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $953 | $1,041 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.8% | 70.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 30.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 14.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 865 | 477 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.8 | 3.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -4.9% | -10.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 0°F | 6°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 42.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 96 mi | 42 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.4 min | 24.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 46.8 | 42.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Brainerd
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Bangor
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, hurricane.
Full profiles: Brainerd, MN Micro Area · Bangor, ME Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology