Flint MI vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Flint
34.4%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 67,231 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.5 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 34.4% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 56.6% | 2.2% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 7.1% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $1,215,642 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 67.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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