CostIndexUSA

Flint, MI vs San Francisco, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Flint
93
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Flint is significantly cheaper than San Francisco — 24.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Flint, you would need $99,400 in San Francisco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+163.1%
Flint
74
San Francisco
194.7
🛒 Groceries+15.8%
Flint
93.7
San Francisco
108.5
🚗 Transportation+6.7%
Flint
104.5
San Francisco
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+6.7%
Flint
94.6
San Francisco
100.9
Utilities+77.8%
Flint
97.1
San Francisco
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Flint to see what you'd need to earn in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$99,400
$19,400 more needed in San Francisco

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 93) = salary × 1.2430. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Flint, MI

Median Home Price
$183,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
74
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

San Francisco has 163.1% higher housing costs compared to Flint.

Income & Job Market

Flint, MI

Median Household Income
$60,000
Per Capita Income
$34,200
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
81,252
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Flint, MI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

San Francisco, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.