Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
20% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Flint | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $744 | +20% |
| Groceries | $691 | $600 | +15% |
| Utilities | $370 | $150 | +147% |
| Transport | $359 | $800 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $500 | -76% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $2,794 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Flint | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $63,212 |
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 | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Flint.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Flint | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
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.
Des Moines
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
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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