How much income do I need to buy a house in Flint?

To afford the median Flint home ($185,182.84) using conventional lending guidelines (28% of gross income to housing, 20% down payment), you'd need approximately $55,071 annual household income. With a smaller down payment, you'd need higher income to offset PMI costs, or could qualify for FHA/VA loans with different requirements.

What is the price-to-rent ratio in Flint?

Flint's price-to-rent ratio is 14.3. This ratio divides the median home price by annual rent. Generally, ratios under 15 favor buying, over 20 favor renting, and 15-20 is a toss-up. This suggests buying may be advantageous in Flint.

How long should I plan to stay if I buy in Flint?

Our analysis shows a break-even point of approximately 5-7 years in Flint. This means if you sell before that point, you'd likely have more wealth if you had rented and invested the difference. We generally recommend planning to stay at least 5 years before buying, though in Flint specifically, this general rule applies.

Is Flint a good place to invest in real estate?

Flint has seen positive appreciation of 26.6% over the past 5 years. Growth has been modest, which could mean better entry points but also lower short-term returns. For investment analysis, use our Single Family or Multifamily calculator.

How do Flint home prices compare to the national average?

Flint home prices are below the national average by 54%. The median home in Flint costs $185,182.84 compared to the national median of approximately $420,000. This relative affordability could make homeownership more accessible.

Rent vs Buy in Flint, Michigan

Should you rent or buy in Flint? Get a personalized analysis based on current Flint housing market data.

Median Home:$185,182.84

Median Rent:$1,076.94/mo

Price Change (1yr):+5.3%

Our Verdict: Rent

🔑

RENT

Our Recommendation for Flint

In Flint, Michigan, renting may be more advantageous than buying. Over 10 years, renting and investing the difference could build approximately $29K more wealth. This is a strong recommendation based on current market conditions.

Break-even

N/A

10-Year Advantage

$28,830

renting wins

Confidence

76%

Price-to-Rent

14.3

Flint Market Statistics

Median Home Price

$185,182.84

-54% vs national

Median Rent

$1,076.94/mo

-38% vs national

Property Tax Rate

1.54%

Price Change (1 Year)

+5.3%

Price Change (5 Year)

+26.6%

Price-to-Rent Ratio

14.3

-277% vs national avg

Income to Afford

$55,071

Days on Market

35 days

Data sources: Zillow, Tax Foundation. Last updated: 12/30/2025

Flint Market Insights

Home prices in Flint have increased 5.3% over the past year, outpacing many markets. This strong appreciation benefits current owners and buyers who get in now, but also means affordability is declining for those still saving.

Flint's price-to-rent ratio of 14.3 is below 15, suggesting buying could be a strong financial choice compared to renting. Properties are relatively affordable compared to rents in this market.

Home prices in Flint are 54% below the national median of $402,356. This relative affordability could make homeownership more accessible than in many other major cities.

About This Analysis

These insights are generated based on current Flint market data including median home prices, rental rates, property taxes, and historical appreciation. The analysis uses standard assumptions (20% down payment, 7% interest rate, 10-year horizon) for comparability. Your specific situation may differ—use our calculator below to run personalized numbers.

Run Your Own Numbers

Our analysis uses standard assumptions. Your situation may be different. Use our full Buy vs Rent calculator to input your specific income, down payment, and financial goals.

Home: $185,182.84

Rent: $1,076.94/mo

Tax: 1.54%

Open Calculator with Flint Data

Other Tools:

🏠 House Hack CalculatorLive in one unit, rent the others 📊 Investment Property AnalyzerAnalyze rental property returns 🏢 Multifamily CalculatorUnderwrite 2-20 unit properties

Compare Nearby Markets

See how Flint compares to other cities in Michigan and the surrounding area.

City	Median Home	Median Rent	Price/Rent	Break-even	Verdict
Flint(current)	$185,182.84	$1,076.94	14.3	N/A	Rent
Detroit	$172,107.12	$1,375.22	10.4	9 yrs	Toss-up
Grand Rapids	$335,851.05	$1,746.16	16.0	N/A	Rent
Warren	$261,060.56	$1,388.24	15.7	N/A	Rent

Click on a city name to see its detailed rent vs buy analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on current Flint market data (median home price: $185,182.84, median rent: $1,076.94/month), our analysis suggests renting. The break-even point is approximately N/A years. However, your personal situation (income, savings, job stability, plans to stay) significantly impacts this decision. Use our calculator to run your specific numbers.

Our Methodology

Our rent vs buy analysis uses a comprehensive financial model that compares the total cost of homeownership against renting and investing the difference. Here's how we calculate each verdict:

1Buying Costs We Include

Mortgage principal and interest (P&I)
Property taxes (using local rates)
Homeowner's insurance
PMI (if down payment is less than 20%)
Maintenance costs (1-2% of home value/year)
Transaction costs (closing costs, realtor fees)
Home appreciation over time

2Renting + Investing Assumptions

Monthly rent with annual increases (~3%/year)
Renter's insurance
Down payment invested in stock market
Monthly savings (buy cost - rent cost) invested
7% average annual stock market returns
Investment growth over holding period

Standard Assumptions for City Analysis

Down Payment

20%

Interest Rate

7.0%

Loan Term

30 years

Time Horizon

10 years

How We Determine the Verdict

Buy: When buying builds $20,000+ more wealth than renting over 10 years
Rent: When renting + investing builds $20,000+ more wealth than buying over 10 years
Toss-Up: When the difference is less than $20,000 either way—lifestyle factors should guide your decision

Note: This analysis provides general guidance based on market averages. Individual results will vary based on specific property characteristics, negotiated prices, timing, and personal financial factors. Always run your own numbers with our full calculator for personalized results.

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Ready to Run Your Numbers?

This analysis uses standard assumptions. Your situation is unique. Use our comprehensive Buy vs Rent calculator to input your specific income, savings, down payment, and financial goals.

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