Flint MI vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Flint
34.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 34.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $871,599 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 44.3% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.0% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 52.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 37.5 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.8 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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