Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
37% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
66% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Flint | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $2,656 | -66% |
| Groceries | $691 | $550 | +26% |
| Utilities | $370 | $320 | +16% |
| Transport | $359 | $150 | +139% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $200 | -41% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $3,876 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 39% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flint delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Flint | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $90,757 |
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 | Flint | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Flint has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Flint has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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