Flint MI vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Flint
34.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.6 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 34.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 56.6% | 4.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $422,520 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 32.8 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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