Flint MI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Flint
34.4%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 34.4% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 56.6% | 39.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $233,814 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 52.3% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 57.1°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 48.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 34.5 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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