Performance
Score Breakdown
Kalamazoo
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
119% higher compared to Kalamazoo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kalamazoo's average rent is
19% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,135 | $950 | +19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $950 | +119% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kalamazoo offers 171% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kalamazoo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kalamazoo is estimated at
$55,000 vs $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,581 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $52,272 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kalamazoo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Flint 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 | Kalamazoo | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 39.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Kalamazoo.
From a growth perspective, Kalamazoo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kalamazoo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,076 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 13.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kalamazoo
Advantages
Kalamazoo offers a cost of living that is 14% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 37% lower.
The average commute time in Kalamazoo is 18.5 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
Kalamazoo's downtown area is highly walkable, with a Walk Score of 85, allowing residents to access amenities on foot.
Recent data indicates a positive trend in safety, with violent crime rates showing significant drops in 2024 and reaching 10-year lows in 2025.
The city has a strong presence of major employers in healthcare, education, and manufacturing, providing a stable job market.
Drawbacks
Kalamazoo has a higher crime rate compared to national averages, with a violent crime rate of 1283.5 per 100,000 residents.
The median household income in Kalamazoo ($52,272 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
While improving, Kalamazoo's safety profile is still a concern, with some sources ranking it among the more dangerous small cities in Michigan.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of bus routes, and the city has a high car dependency.
The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo County was 4.1% in 2024, which is slightly above the national average of 4.198% (though very close).
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs, including both rent and property values, are considerably more affordable in Flint compared to many other U.S. cities.
Flint is home to important cultural institutions like the Flint Cultural Center, offering artistic and educational attractions.
The city has a strong healthcare infrastructure with three major regional hospitals providing comprehensive medical services.
Employment in Flint saw a growth rate of 2.45% from 2023 to 2024, indicating some positive job market movement.
Drawbacks
Flint has a very high crime rate, with a safety score of 18/100 and violent crime rates significantly above the national average in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Flint was 13.1% in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average.
A substantial portion of Flint's population, 34.1% in 2024, lives below the poverty line.
Concerns about water quality persist among residents, as highlighted in 2024 community surveys.
The city has experienced a long-term population decline, with the metropolitan area decreasing by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kalamazoo
#117Michigan, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,135
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
39.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Flint
#25Michigan, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kalamazoo and Flint.
Open Cost Calculator