Flint MI vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 34.4% | 25.0% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $147,306 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 46.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Memphis
19.9%
Memphis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.9% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 19.9% | Memphis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 60.9°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 54.9 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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