Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Flint
2.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 80,835 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.2 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 2.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 34.4% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 0.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $36,194 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $20,799 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 34.4% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 13.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 50.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 23.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 25.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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