City Comparison
Bayan Lepas vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bayan Lepas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bayan Lepas
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bayan Lepas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bayan Lepas's average rent is
32% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,250 | -32% |
| Groceries | $300 | $380 | -21% |
| Utilities | $110 | $175 | -37% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $230 | -48% |
| Monthly Total | $1,470 | $2,145 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 61% 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 Bayan Lepas is estimated at
$19,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $19,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $28,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bayan Lepas runs warmer on average — a 32.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 137 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 | Bayan Lepas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.50°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 75.80°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 113.30 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 114 | 251 |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Bayan Lepas.
Bayan Lepas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bayan Lepas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bayan Lepas is the larger city
— approximately 26.3x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Bayan Lepas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bayan Lepas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bayan Lepas
Advantages
High concentration of multinational technology and semiconductor employers providing robust career growth in engineering and tech fields.
World-renowned culinary scene with accessible hawker centers and diverse international dining options across the district.
Proximity to the Penang International Airport, facilitating seamless regional and international travel for business and leisure.
Access to high-quality private healthcare facilities and medical centers with internationally accredited professionals.
Dynamic and cosmopolitan community combining modern urban infrastructure with rich Penang cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours around the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and major expressways.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by limited island land supply and high demand from tech sector professionals.
High car dependency in certain industrial and residential sectors where pedestrian infrastructure is limited.
Warm and humid tropical climate year-round with significant seasonal rainfall requiring adaptation for outdoor activities.
Competitive rental and property purchasing market for mid-to-high-tier developments near commercial hubs.
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.
Bayan Lepas
#4Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
83.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
52
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
114/yr
Avg Temp
81.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
82
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
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