Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Flint
2.9%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 80,835 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 2.9% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 34.4% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 0.6% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.5% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Cleveland +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Cleveland +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Cleveland +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $36,194 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $20,799 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 17.4% | Cleveland + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 34.4% | Cleveland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 13.1% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Cleveland +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Cleveland +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 50.5% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.3% | Cleveland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 23.5% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 25.3% | Cleveland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cleveland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.0 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cleveland leads in median household income at $39,187, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Cleveland has a lower unemployment rate at 11.5%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA