| Index | Flint | Michigan | National |
| Cost of living | 77 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 36 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 95 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Flint? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Flint stands at 77, making it 23% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
According to the latest cost of living report, Flint stands out as one of the most budget-friendly places to reside in the nation. In fact, only a handful of cities boast a cost of living index that is at least 20% below the national average, and Flint proudly belongs to that select group. This underscores the exceptional affordability of this region in comparison to other urban centers.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Flint stands out by reporting housing costs that are 64.3% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 15 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Flint and this is how they responded. 47% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 53% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Flint an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Flint is 82.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Flint has a median household income of $44,927, which is 44.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Flint, the transportation index is 7.6% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Flint, the utilities index stands at 3.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Flint, the healthcare costs are 6.8% lower than the national average.
The Flint cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $60,220 | $5,018 | $1,405 | $1,807 |
| Renters | $31,220 | $2,602 | $728 | $937 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Michigan | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Michigan | 4.25% | 4.25% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beecher, MI | 9,446 | 77 | 23.0% |
| Otisville, MI | 971 | 80 | 19.8% |
| Mount Morris, MI | 2,912 | 81 | 19.2% |
| Clio, MI | 2,108 | 81 | 19.1% |
| Montrose, MI | 2,104 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Flint, MI | 99,436 | 77 | 22.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Longmont, CO | 99,360 | 133 | 33.2% |
| Lawrence, KS | 99,660 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Bend, OR | 99,174 | 134 | 34.2% |
| Yuma, AZ | 99,763 | 99 | 0.7% |
| Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC | 99,027 | n/a | |
| Flint, MI | 99,436 | 77 | 22.9% |
Here are the best places to live in Michigan
These are the largest cities in Michigan
Check out the 10 safest cities in Michigan
Most Dangerous States In The US