Flint MI vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Flint
34.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.6 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 34.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 56.6% | 5.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $538,687 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 52.8% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 51.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 78.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.5 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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