Flint MI vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Flint
34.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 34.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 56.6% | 4.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $435,670 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 71.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.7 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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