NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Flint, MI

Metro Market Score 64.6 (Difficult), ranked #307 of 378 metros. 1,160 establishments, 17,957 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 64.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

⚡Rising Wages

Flint stands out for high retail trade labor costs. Wage competitiveness hits 72.8 (above the 70th percentile of metros), and year-over-year wage pressure at 85.5 signals continued increases. Plan for higher payroll if entering this market.

Industry Concentration
86.0
LQ: 1.34
Rank #325 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
72.8
$40,450 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 74.1
Employment growth index
Rank #99 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
85.5
YoY wage change index

1,160 Retail Trade Firms in Flint

1,160
Establishments
-7.9% YoY
17,957
Total Employment
+0.7% YoY
$40,450
Average Annual Wage
+4.6% YoY
1.34
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Flint vs Michigan Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Michigan overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Flint MI Statewide
Overall Score 64.6 Difficult 40.5 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #307 of 378 metros #15 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Flint

Information 31.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.7 Construction 47.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 51.5 Accommodation and Food Services 51.5 Administrative and Support Services 51.9 Finance and Insurance 55.1 Healthcare and Social Assistance 60.8 Other Services 65.9

Retail Trade in Other Michigan Metros

Niles 33.4 #15/378 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood 37.1 #32/378 Muskegon-Norton Shores 47.1 #100/378 Midland 50.1 #141/378 Ann Arbor 52.6 #169/378 Lansing-East Lansing 55.0 #197/378 Monroe 55.1 #198/378 Battle Creek 58.5 #238/378 Saginaw 60.8 #265/378 Traverse City 61.3 #268/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in Michigan →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Flint's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (86.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.