Flint MI vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.1 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 34.4% | 29.0% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 2.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $1,452,609 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
San Jose
13.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 61.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 30.4 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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