Flint MI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Flint
34.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 75,721 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 34.4% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 56.6% | 2.2% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $765,686 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 45.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 53.2°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 40.1 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.4 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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