Flint MI vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Flint
34.4%
Flint +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 68,141 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.1 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 34.4% | 17.9% | Flint + |
| Black | 56.6% | 5.3% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $523,551 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Vallejo
13.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 36.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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