Flint MI vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Flint
34.4%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 34.4% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 56.6% | 12.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $480,548 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 51.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 61.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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