Flint MI vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Flint
34.4%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 34.4% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 56.6% | 38.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $226,456 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 41.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 47.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 35.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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