Flint MI vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Flint
34.4%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 34.4% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 56.6% | 22.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $265,062 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 42.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 24.0% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 48.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 29.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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