By Tanya Terry
Flint, Michigan has been named the Top Affordable City in America, according to a Census Data Report carried out by TrendingImpact.com.
“We are delighted to see Flint in Michigan recommended as a top affordable US city to live in,” said Lisa Kettle, co-founder of Trending Impact.
Kettle added: “It is not surprising at all, since the city has historically offered well-priced services for a good quality of life.”
Kettle told the Courier Trending Impact analyzed over 600 strong contenders to select the Top Affordable Places in the U.S. This was selected by weighing up key factors including average monthly homeowner costs, median monthly rent and the percentage of the population without health insurance as key indicators of affordability and standard of living.
“This was achieved using numerical data from Data U.S.A. and the 2020 American Community Survey by the U.S .Census Bureau which helped to shed light on affordable spots,” said Kettle. “As well as this, we assessed important data such as average food prices, fuel costs and utility bills to help reveal affordability within each location. Assessing these key elements, coupled with unemployment rates to get an idea of residents’ financial position, allowed us to compile a list of what we recommended as top affordable cities in the U.S.
In the press release provided by Trending Impact, it says Flint excels with its low unemployment rate of 4.4%. Some people in Flint think the unemployment rate in the city is high.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the unemployment rate edged down to 3.7% in November 2023.
Kettle discussed these facts with the Courier.
“Given the history of Flint’s unemployment rates, with it peaking to a record high of 30.9% in April 2020 (Source: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate-in-flint-mi-msa-percent-m-nsa-fed-data.html), there is no doubt that 4.4%, compared to its history and other cities in the U.S., was an impressive figure, better yet now that it has improved further with a reduction to 3.7% since the article has been published (she said referring to the press release). “
Trending Impact is a news outlet source that focuses on key trends, data and up-to-date news across the United States.
“Whilst our research projects are relatively new, data is at the very heart of our business, and so we thought it was important to determine places that offer affordable living.”
Trending Impact’s data and other data sources point out, in particular, citizens of Flint can benefit from a particularly low median homeowner cost of $491 per month.
“The city boasts top-notch nature attractions, as well as many reasonably priced recreational activities with lots of shops, galleries, museums and the Flint Farmer’s Market.”
The other top six most affordable cities on the list were Detroit, Michigan; Dayton, Ohio; Decatur, Illinois; Austin, Texas and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Kettle pointed out all the cities on the list boast low median monthly homeowner costs and median monthly rent. They generally have a low percentage of the population without health insurance and on average, good employment rates.
“This enabled them to be chosen as the six top recommendations of places with affordable living in the U.S.”
Kettle added: “With the cost of living rising, there is no doubt that residing in an affordable U.S. city is extremely desirable. That’s why we believe it is important to raise awareness of wonderful cities like Flint.”
To read Trending Data’s press release about the top six affordable U.S. cities to live in, click here: https://trendingimpact.com/home/6-top-affordable-us-cities-to-live-in/
