Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
44% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Flint | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $1,595 | -44% |
| Groceries | $691 | $425 | +63% |
| Utilities | $370 | $180 | +106% |
| Transport | $359 | $120 | +199% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $250 | -53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $2,570 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Flint | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $55,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 66,360 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $69,108 |
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 | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x 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 | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.3 |
| 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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area's population grew by 0.4% in 2025, outpacing the statewide growth rate.
The average rent in Grand Rapids is $1,595 per month as of June 2026, which is 18% below the national average.
Grand Rapids' economy is projected to see employment growth between 1.0% and 1.6% in 2025.
The city's housing market is competitive, with homes selling in an average of 6 days as of May 2026.
Assisted living and nursing home care costs in Grand Rapids are below national averages, offering more affordable senior care options.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, which is higher than 95% of communities in Michigan.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Grand Rapids is 1 in 111, higher than the Michigan state average.
Property crime is prevalent, with a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of theft, burglary, or vandalism.
The overall cost of living in Grand Rapids is slightly above the national average, primarily driven by higher housing costs.
Despite job growth, the number of jobs in the Greater Grand Rapids region has remained mostly flat at around 600,000 for the last three years.
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
Grand Rapids
#19Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$69,014
Cost Index
104
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Flint and Grand Rapids.
Open Cost Calculator