City Comparison
Houston vs Flint
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Houston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
69% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
89% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Houston | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $950 | +89% |
| Groceries | $682 | $360 | +89% |
| Utilities | $253 | $250 | +1% |
| Transport | $348 | $150 | +132% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $200 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $1,910 | +69% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 213% 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
$69,000 vs $35,000 in Flint.
| Metric | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $23,997 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 30,765 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $37,646 |
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 | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 9.00°F |
| Summer High | °F | 27.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | -9.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 810.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 120.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 172 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Houston.
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 | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 28.9x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 80,175 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 13.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Houston
#80Texas, USA
58.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Flint
#136Michigan, USA
48.7 / 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
172/yr
Avg Temp
9.00°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
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