Flint MI vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 34.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 56.6% | 1.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $575,076 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 51.4°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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