Flint MI vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Flint
34.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 34.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 56.6% | 28.1% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $232,133 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1719 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 41.8 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.8 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
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