Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Oak Hill
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% lower compared to Oak Hill.
| Metric | Flint | Oak Hill | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $897 | +6% |
| Groceries | $0 | $350 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $100 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $950 | $1,617 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oak Hill offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oak Hill delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$35,000 vs $45,000 in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Flint | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $23,997 | $28,806 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,765 idx | 36,931 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $52,466 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Flint | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
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 | Flint | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 10.1x the population of Oak Hill.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Oak Hill has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,175 | 7,937 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 13.10% | 8.30% |
| 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, 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.
Oak Hill
Advantages
The violent crime rate in Oak Hill is 44% below the national average, contributing to a sense of safety.
Housing is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a median home value of $118,700 in 2024.
The city offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including white water rafting and hiking, due to its proximity to the New River Gorge.
Oak Hill experienced a positive employment growth rate of 4.63% from 2023 to 2024.
The median rent of $897 in June 2026 is considerably lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Oak Hill has a high unemployment rate of 8.3% as of March 2026, exceeding the national average.
The city is highly car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 0 and very limited public transit options.
The population is projected to decline by -1.42% annually, indicating a shrinking community.
Some reports suggest overall crime rates are 57% higher than the West Virginia average, despite low violent crime.
The average commute time of 29 minutes is slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Flint
#18Michigan, 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
Oak Hill
#85West Virginia, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$897
Avg Salary
$28,806
Cost Index
78
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
55
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