Flint MI vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Flint
34.4%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 57,088 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.7 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 34.4% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.1% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $1,274,801 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.2 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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