Flint MI vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Flint
34.4%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 34.4% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 56.6% | 29.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $279,668 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 51.7% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 56.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 44.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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