Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
28% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Flint | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $700 | +28% |
| Groceries | $691 | $300 | +130% |
| Utilities | $370 | $150 | +147% |
| Transport | $359 | $500 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $1,000 | -88% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $2,650 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Flint offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Phenix City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Flint | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $43,000 |
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 | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Flint | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Flint | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| 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, 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.
Phenix City
Advantages
Affordable housing options
Low cost of living
Growing economy
Rich history and culture
Outdoor recreational opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher crime rate
Limited public transportation options
Aging housing stock
Limited job opportunities in certain industries
Summer heat and humidity
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
Phenix City
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$43,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
65
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