Flint MI vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Flint
34.4%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 34.4% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 56.6% | 25.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $253,319 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.6% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 54.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 38.9 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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