City Comparison
Amherst vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Swartz Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
16% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Amherst | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,250 | -16% |
| Groceries | $344 | $380 | -9% |
| Utilities | $118 | $175 | -33% |
| Transport | $491 | $110 | +346% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $230 | -62% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,145 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 54% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Swartz Creek delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Amherst | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Amherst | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Swartz Creek scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Swartz Creek leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | — | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Amherst is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Amherst is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Swartz Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amherst
Advantages
The cost of living in Amherst is 6% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Amherst serves as a strategic gateway community into Nova Scotia, offering excellent transportation links and proximity to New Brunswick.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services at the 24/7 Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, which provides a wide range of specialties.
The town is considered a 'very walkable community' with various outdoor and indoor walking options available to residents.
Amherst has experienced a positive population growth rate of 1.8% year-over-year as of 2024, indicating a growing community.
Drawbacks
Amherst's crime rates are significantly higher, reported to be 154% above the Nova Scotia average.
Public transportation options are minimal, with only 0.4% of commuters using it, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
The median household income in Amherst is $38,920 USD, which is lower than the Nova Scotia median household income of $49,950 USD.
With a median age of 46.2 years, the town has an older demographic profile, which may appeal less to younger populations seeking a vibrant youth culture.
Job growth in Nova Scotia, while positive, has slowed to 0.4% in 2025, potentially impacting local employment opportunities.
Swartz Creek
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Consistently low crime rates provide an exceptionally safe environment for families and retirees.
Highly rated local school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Convenient geographic location with direct access to I-69, facilitating easy commutes to Flint and Lansing.
Active community parks and recreational programming that foster strong local engagement.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Fewer high-paying local corporate headquarters within city limits, requiring outbound commuting for certain professional sectors.
Limited nightlife and entertainment venues directly within the city center.
Winters bring heavy snowfall averaging over 33 inches, requiring consistent snow removal efforts.
Modest pace of new commercial development compared to larger surrounding suburbs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#61Nova Scotia, Canada
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
Business
60
Swartz Creek
#146Michigan, USA
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Amherst and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator