Flint MI vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Flint
34.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.4 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 34.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 56.6% | 1.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,074 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $534,732 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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