Flint MI vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Flint
34.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 49.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 34.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 56.6% | 2.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $858,307 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 72.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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