Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Flint
2.9%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Flint
56.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 80,835 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 2.9% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 34.4% | Flint + |
| Black | 60.0% | 56.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.6% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.5% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $36,194 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $20,799 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,052 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 17.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 34.4% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 13.1% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 50.5% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.3% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 23.5% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 25.3% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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