Flint MI vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Flint
34.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 34.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 56.6% | 17.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $309,801 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.6% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Grand Rapids
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Grand Rapids
1590
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, 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
Flint
50.5%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 49.1°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 38.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Grand Rapids has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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