Flint MI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Flint
34.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Flint +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 26,509 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.7 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 34.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 56.6% | 3.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.9% | Flint + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $344,633 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.0% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 34.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.3 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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