City Comparison
Southfield vs Flint
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Southfield
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Southfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Southfield's average rent is
53% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Southfield | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $410 | $360 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $1,910 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Southfield offers 183% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Southfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Southfield is estimated at
$52,000 vs $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | Southfield | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Southfield runs warmer on average — a 40.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Southfield comes out ahead with 74 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 83.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Southfield | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | 9.00°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 27.00°F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | -9.00°F |
| Rainfall | 32.40 in | 810.00 in |
| Snowfall | 36.80 in | 120.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | 172 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Southfield.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flint leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Southfield | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Southfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Southfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Southfield | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,500 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 13.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Southfield
Advantages
Strategic location in Oakland County with direct access to major freeways like I-696 and US-10
Robust commercial hub hosting numerous corporate headquarters and professional service firms
Diverse and welcoming community with strong cultural representation and active local engagement
Excellent healthcare infrastructure anchored by Ascension Providence Hospital
More affordable housing options compared to neighboring affluent Oakland County communities
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited walkability and transit scores outside central corridors
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding townships
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries during peak rush hours
Varying crime rates and safety profiles depending on the specific neighborhood
Older housing stock in some areas may require significant maintenance or updates
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.
Southfield
#282Michigan, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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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