Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
55% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Flint | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $1,988 | -55% |
| Groceries | $691 | $757 | -9% |
| Utilities | $370 | $406 | -9% |
| Transport | $359 | $369 | -3% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $119 | -1% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $3,639 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flint delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Flint | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $112,467 |
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 | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg 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 | Flint | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Flint | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Gaithersburg
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
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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