City Comparison
Pontiac vs Flint
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pontiac scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pontiac
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Pontiac.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pontiac's average rent is
32% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Pontiac | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $360 | +6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $1,910 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pontiac offers 125% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pontiac delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pontiac is estimated at
$48,000 vs $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | Pontiac | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $46,500 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pontiac runs warmer on average — a 40.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pontiac comes out ahead with 68 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 83.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pontiac | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | 9.00°F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | 27.00°F |
| Winter Low | 16.90°F | -9.00°F |
| Rainfall | 31.70 in | 810.00 in |
| Snowfall | 36.60 in | 120.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 172 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Pontiac.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pontiac leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pontiac | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 51.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Pontiac.
From a growth perspective, Pontiac is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pontiac has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pontiac | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,606 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 13.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pontiac
Advantages
Median home prices in Pontiac remain significantly below the Oakland County average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to major regional employment corridors along the I-75 loop and Metro Detroit.
Abundant outdoor recreation access via the Clinton River Trail and local parks.
Active downtown revitalization and historic preservation efforts led by local stakeholders.
Diverse community culture with frequent local festivals and neighborhood events.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain neighborhoods remain above the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options outside of primary bus routes are limited, requiring car ownership.
Public school district performance metrics lag behind wealthier surrounding townships.
Certain commercial corridors feature vacant properties awaiting redevelopment.
State Equalized Value and property tax structures can create financial burdens for homeowners.
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs, including both rent and property values, are considerably more affordable in Flint compared to many other U.S. cities.
Flint is home to important cultural institutions like the Flint Cultural Center, offering artistic and educational attractions.
The city has a strong healthcare infrastructure with three major regional hospitals providing comprehensive medical services.
Employment in Flint saw a growth rate of 2.45% from 2023 to 2024, indicating some positive job market movement.
Drawbacks
Flint has a very high crime rate, with a safety score of 18/100 and violent crime rates significantly above the national average in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Flint was 13.1% in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average.
A substantial portion of Flint's population, 34.1% in 2024, lives below the poverty line.
Concerns about water quality persist among residents, as highlighted in 2024 community surveys.
The city has experienced a long-term population decline, with the metropolitan area decreasing by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pontiac
#551Michigan, USA
48.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
61
Business
63
Flint
#600Michigan, USA
40.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
172/yr
Avg Temp
9.00°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
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