Living in Flint, MI
Flint is the 469th-largest city in the US, home to about 79,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.4% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.0 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 79,306-2.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $53,5001.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $915/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $37,646median, per year
- Price level
- 93.0US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 30° / 82°lows 16° / 60°
- Average commute
- 23 min9% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.25%top rate, flat
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County: Genesee County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 751 ft
Metro area: Flint, MI
Cost of living in Flint
The median home in Flint is worth $53,500 and the median household earns $37,646 a year, so a typical home costs about 1.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $915 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Flint, MI metro area at 93.0, with housing at 74.0 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,800 here. Michigan taxes wages at a top rate of 4.25% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Michigan is 6%.
What would my salary be worth in Flint?
Flint weather
Average highs run from 30°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 16°F. It gets 32 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 52 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 141 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Flint
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 14% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 8% of workers work from home and 3% take public transit.
- Median age
- 36.9303rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 14%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,37233.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 3%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 14.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 34.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1954median year
Who moves to Flint, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), Miami (Miami-Dade County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Fort Worth (Tarrant County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Roscommon County, MI. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Genesee County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, strong wind, lightning, ice storm.
Home prices
+3.8% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Flint, MI area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
83% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Flint, MI area (303 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Flint
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Oakland University 34 miles
- University of Michigan-Flint in Flint
- Mott Community College 2 miles
- Baker College 23 miles
- Kettering University in Flint
- Cleary University 31 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Flint
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop International Airport FNT | 4 mi | 285,088 |
| MBS International Airport MBS | 40 mi | 110,822 |
| Capital Region International Airport LAN | 47 mi | 123,608 |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport DTW | 58 mi | 16,110,696 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Flint
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mott Community College | 2 mi | 5,251 | $9,438 | 29% |
| University of Michigan-Flint | in town | 4,411 | $8,320 | 43% |
| Baker College | 23 mi | 3,026 | $10,115 | 46% |
| Kettering University | in town | 1,205 | $29,797 | 74% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Flint
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 6, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 28 and the first frost comes around October 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Flint Bishop Intl. Airport, MI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Flint.
Wildfire smoke in Flint
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Flint on about 120 days a year, including about 38 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Flint
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 34,572 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Flint
Downtown Flint is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 2,605 | 14 | 20.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Grand Blanc Community Schools (7,489 students), Davison Community Schools (5,460 students), Flushing Community Schools (4,094 students), Carman-Ainsworth Community School District (3,500 students), Swartz Creek Community Schools (3,483 students), Holly Area School District (3,157 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Flint's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Flint's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Rockford, IL61% matchCompare
- Scranton, PA50% matchCompare
- Appleton, WI48% matchCompare
- Rochester, NY47% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Flint
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Flint
- Mount Brighton 33 miles
- Timber Ridge Ski Area 113 miles
- Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl 128 miles
- Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort 132 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Flint
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 1.4 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 52 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 34.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
Flint report card from locals
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Flint through locals' eyes
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Cities near Flint
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Hills, MI | 37 mi | 77,539 | $409,800 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Troy, MI | 39 mi | 88,733 | $420,300 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Farmington Hills, MI | 40 mi | 83,291 | $354,500 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Southfield, MI | 43 mi | 76,111 | $236,200 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Sterling Heights, MI | 46 mi | 133,931 | $274,300 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Lansing, MI | 47 mi | 113,884 | $128,700 | 95.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Flint with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Flint a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow, a shrinking population. Compare Flint side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Flint?
The Census Bureau estimates Flint had 79,306 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 81,256 in April 2020 (-2.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Flint?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,800 in the Flint area. The median household here earns $37,646.
When is the best time to visit Flint?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 30°F for daytime highs.
What county is Flint in?
Flint is in Genesee County, Michigan. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Flint in?
Flint is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Flint?
About 751 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Michigan have a state income tax?
Yes. Michigan has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.25% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Flint. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Flint, MI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Flint Bishop Intl. Airport, MI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.