Flint MI vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Flint
34.4%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 34.4% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 56.6% | 27.5% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $435,807 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 51.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 61.1°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 46.2 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.1 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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