Flint MI vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Montgomery
36.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 34.4% | 27.7% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.8% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $151,721 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.3% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Montgomery
46.4%
Montgomery +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 46.4% | Montgomery + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 64.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 52.8 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Montgomery scores better with a lower obesity rate of 46.4%.
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