Flint MI vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Flint
34.4%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 34.4% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 56.6% | 20.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $28,059 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 20.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Kansas City
$202,558
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $202,558 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Kansas City
18.3%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.2% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.4% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 38.1 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.2%.
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