Flint MI vs Fresno CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Flint
34.4%
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 34.4% | 38.0% | Fresno + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $31,012 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.6% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 20.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $391,442 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 49.7% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Fresno
14.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 64.2°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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