Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Flint
2.9%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Flint
56.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 80,835 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 2.9% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 34.4% | Flint + |
| Black | 76.8% | 56.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 0.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.5% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Detroit +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Detroit +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Flint
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Detroit +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Detroit +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $36,194 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $20,799 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 17.4% | Detroit + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 34.4% | Detroit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 13.1% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Flint
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Flint
1590
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Detroit +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Detroit +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Detroit +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Flint
12.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Detroit +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 50.5% | Detroit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 19.3% | Detroit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 23.5% | Detroit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 25.3% | Detroit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 31.7 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Detroit leads in median household income at $39,575, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Detroit has a lower unemployment rate at 14.1%, and Flint has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Detroit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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