Flint MI vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Flint
34.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Flint +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 34.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 56.6% | 22.5% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.2% | Flint + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $240,538 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 47.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 51.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 39.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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