City Comparison
St. Clair Shores vs Flint
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Clair Shores scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Clair Shores
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 St. Clair Shores.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Clair Shores's average rent is
53% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $420 | $360 | +17% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $1,910 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Clair Shores offers 183% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Clair Shores delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Clair Shores is estimated at
$52,000 vs $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Clair Shores runs warmer on average — a 41.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Clair Shores comes out ahead with 72 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 86.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | 9.00°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 27.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | -9.00°F |
| Rainfall | 32.60 in | 810.00 in |
| Snowfall | 33.50 in | 120.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 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 St. Clair Shores.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Clair Shores leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of St. Clair Shores.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Clair Shores has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,800 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | — | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 13.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Clair Shores
Advantages
Extensive waterfront access and boating culture along the famous Nautical Mile and Lake St. Clair
Crime rates consistently lower than both Michigan state averages and national benchmarks
More affordable housing options compared to western and northern Detroit metro suburbs
Proximity to major regional employment centers in Detroit, Warren, and Troy via I-94
Active municipal park system featuring popular community gathering spots like Blossom Heath Park
Drawbacks
High car-dependency with limited robust public mass transit options within city borders
Older housing stock often requires ongoing maintenance and updates for modern energy efficiency
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high compared to some outer-ring suburbs
Winters bring substantial snowfall (33.5 inches annually) requiring regular snow removal
Limited large corporate headquarters physically located inside city limits, necessitating commutes
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.
St. Clair Shores
#139Michigan, USA
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
76
Business
68
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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