Flint MI vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Flint
34.4%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 34.4% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 56.6% | 20.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Springfield
25.3%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $27,054 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 25.3% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 19.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $298,985 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 49.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 21.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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