Flint MI vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 34.4% | 28.7% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 21.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $664,939 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 28.8% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 40.3 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA