Atlanta GA vs Flint MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Flint
2.9%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 80,835 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 2.9% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 34.4% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 0.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 4.5% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $36,194 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $20,799 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 34.4% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 13.1% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 50.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 23.5% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 25.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Flint
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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