Flint MI vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Flint
34.4%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 34.4% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 56.6% | 21.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Gainesville
$45,611
Gainesville +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Gainesville
28.0%
Gainesville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $45,611 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $30,282 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 28.0% | Gainesville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $299,633 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 38.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Gainesville
21.3%
Gainesville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 21.3% | Gainesville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 68.9°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 47.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville leads in median household income at $45,611, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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