Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Flint.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
34% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Houston | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,199 | $895 | +34% |
| Groceries | $400 | $691 | -42% |
| Utilities | $180 | $370 | -51% |
| Transport | $120 | $359 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $118 | +27% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,433 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 114% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,364 in Flint.
| Metric | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,122 | $45,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,364 |
| Purchasing Power | 101,157 idx | 51,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,361 | $37,646 |
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 | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.70°F |
| Rainfall | in | 31.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 30x 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 | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,390,125 | 79,735 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.58% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $697.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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
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