Flint MI vs Lee's Summit 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lee's Summit +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.6 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| White | 34.4% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 56.6% | 10.2% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $313,200 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, 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%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | 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
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.9 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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