Flint MI vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Flint
34.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 34.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 56.6% | 32.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $419,326 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.6% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 63.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 58.4 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA