Flint MI vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Flint
34.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 34.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 56.6% | 1.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $438,754 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 53.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 39.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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