Flint MI vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 34.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 56.6% | 14.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $332,727 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 53.6% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 55.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 45.2 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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