Flint MI vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Flint
34.4%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 34.4% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 56.6% | 42.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $374,265 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 43.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 58.9°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 43.6 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA