Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% higher compared to Flint.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
24% lower than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Flint | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $1,180 | -24% |
| Groceries | $691 | $400 | +73% |
| Utilities | $370 | $220 | +68% |
| Transport | $359 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $150 | -21% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $1,950 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 40% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Flint | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flint runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flint comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flint | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Flint has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values are very affordable, at $53,500 in 2024, and saw a 12.4% increase from the previous year.
Flint has a robust healthcare infrastructure with three major high-performing hospitals and specialized medical centers.
The education and health services sector experienced a 2.7% year-over-year job increase in 2024.
The Flint Cultural Center offers significant artistic and educational attractions, enhancing local quality of life.
Drawbacks
The city of Flint has experienced a population decline of 1.9% between 2020 and 2024.
Historically, Flint has been known for comparatively high crime rates.
The median household income in Flint ($37,646 in 2024) is considerably lower than the national average.
Despite lower car ownership, the city exhibits a medium car dependency, indicating limited public transit options.
Some rental prices, particularly for studios, show significant year-over-year fluctuations.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Flint
#43Michigan, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$45,900
Cost Index
90
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
62
Business
55
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Flint and Albuquerque.
Open Cost Calculator