Cost of Living in Flint

Flint runs genuinely, substantially affordable -- among the lowest housing costs of any US city of its size -- though the City of Flint's own property tax rate runs higher than the low home values might suggest.

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Among the lowest housing costs of any US city of its size

Flint's Zillow average home value ran just $49,154 (down 5.3% year-over-year) -- roughly 82% below Michigan's own statewide average of $269,972, and genuinely among the lowest of any US city of comparable size.

Rent runs genuinely, substantially below national and state averages

Flint's rent figures carry a real, disclosed spread across citations, running roughly $875-$968/month -- genuinely, substantially below both the national average and most other Michigan markets.

Michigan's flat 4.25% income tax plus Flint's own 1% local rate

Michigan's real flat 4.25% state income tax applies, and the City of Flint itself levies a real, current 1% resident city income tax (0.5% nonresident) -- combining to an approximate 5.25% total rate for resident wage earners.

A real nuance: low home values, but not a low property tax RATE

While Genesee County's own broader effective property tax rate runs a modest 0.88%, the City of Flint's OWN effective rate runs genuinely higher at approximately 1.85% -- above both the Michigan and national medians. Low absolute home values do not mean a low tax rate here.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.