Flint MI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 34.4% | 16.5% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 46.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Newark
10.9%
Newark +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 10.9% | Newark + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $482,675 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 24.1% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 23.4% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 54.9°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 46.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 35.9 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Newark has a lower unemployment rate at 10.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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