Flint MI vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Flint
34.4%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 34.4% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 56.6% | 17.1% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Visalia
11.6%
Visalia +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Flint +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 11.6% | Visalia + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 12.4% | Flint + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $397,983 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 63.3°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 41.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Visalia has a lower unemployment rate at 11.6%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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