Flint MI vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Flint
34.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 44,998 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 57.8 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 34.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 56.6% | 5.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $503,393 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 63.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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