Flint MI vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Springfield
3.8%
Springfield +
White
Flint
34.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 3.8% | Springfield + |
| White | 34.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 56.6% | 4.3% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Springfield
$45,984
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $45,984 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $245,279 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 42.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 56.3°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 45.6 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $45,984, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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