Flint MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Flint
80,835
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Flint
34.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 34.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 56.6% | 12.1% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $435,532 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 42.4% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 47.9°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 48.1 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.3 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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