Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Flint
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% higher compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
113% higher than Flint's.
| Metric | Dallas | Flint | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,907 | $895 | +113% |
| Groceries | $450 | $691 | -35% |
| Utilities | $224 | $370 | -39% |
| Transport | $780 | $359 | +117% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $118 | +112% |
| Monthly Total | $3,611 | $2,433 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 45% higher 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 Dallas is estimated at
$73,000 vs $50,364 in Flint.
| Metric | Dallas | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,419 | $45,900 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $50,364 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,484 idx | 51,000 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $37,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flint runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flint comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dallas | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.70°F |
| Rainfall | in | 31.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Dallas | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 69.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 16.8x the population of Flint.
From a growth perspective, Flint 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 | Dallas | Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 79,735 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | 0.58% |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime rates, including murders, have seen significant year-over-year decreases in 2024 and 2025, indicating improving safety.
Dallas-Fort Worth is a major economic powerhouse with strong job creation and a diverse range of thriving industries like IT, Financial Services, and Healthcare.
The city was ranked as the No. 1 most affordable city in the world for dining out in 2025, offering excellent culinary experiences at reasonable prices.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has shown strong new business growth, with a 28% increase in new business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Dallas offers a vibrant cultural scene, extensive entertainment options, and numerous parks and outdoor activities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements in crime rates, police response times remain high, which can be a concern for residents in emergency situations.
Dallas is a car-dependent city with an average walk score of 46, and drivers experience significant traffic congestion, losing an average of 69 hours in traffic in 2024.
Summers in Dallas are characterized by scorching heat and stifling humidity, with average highs reaching 96°F and frequently exceeding 100°F.
While housing is relatively affordable compared to some major U.S. cities, home prices in Dallas saw a decline of 1.52% from December 2024 to December 2025, indicating a cooling market.
Utilities costs in Dallas are notably higher than the national average, impacting overall monthly expenses.
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values are very affordable, at $53,500 in 2024, and saw a 12.4% increase from the previous year.
Flint has a robust healthcare infrastructure with three major high-performing hospitals and specialized medical centers.
The education and health services sector experienced a 2.7% year-over-year job increase in 2024.
The Flint Cultural Center offers significant artistic and educational attractions, enhancing local quality of life.
Drawbacks
The city of Flint has experienced a population decline of 1.9% between 2020 and 2024.
Historically, Flint has been known for comparatively high crime rates.
The median household income in Flint ($37,646 in 2024) is considerably lower than the national average.
Despite lower car ownership, the city exhibits a medium car dependency, indicating limited public transit options.
Some rental prices, particularly for studios, show significant year-over-year fluctuations.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dallas
#19Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,907
Avg Salary
$66,419
Cost Index
103
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
68
Business
80
Flint
#43Michigan, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$45,900
Cost Index
90
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
62
Business
55
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