City Comparison
Flint vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dallas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
33% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Flint | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,412 | -33% |
| Groceries | $360 | $450 | -20% |
| Utilities | $250 | $281 | -11% |
| Transport | $150 | $126 | +19% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $135 | +48% |
| Monthly Total | $1,910 | $2,404 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 61% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$35,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Flint | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $23,997 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,765 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flint runs warmer on average — a 9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flint comes out ahead with 172 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 120 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flint | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 9.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 27.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -9.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 810.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 120.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 172 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,175 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | -0.10% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 13.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Flint
#600Michigan, USA
40.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
172/yr
Avg Temp
9.00°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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