City Comparison
Bundaberg 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
Bundaberg
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swartz Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Bundaberg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bundaberg's average rent is
24% higher than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Bundaberg | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,250 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,495 | $2,145 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 6% 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 Bundaberg is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Bundaberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bundaberg runs warmer on average — a 23.1°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bundaberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.80°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 71.50°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 71.70°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 35.50 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bundaberg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Bundaberg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bundaberg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bundaberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bundaberg is the larger city
— approximately 18.8x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Bundaberg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bundaberg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bundaberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,297 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bundaberg
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain substantially lower than those in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Proximity to pristine coastal environments, including Bargara Beach and the Southern Great Barrier Reef gateway.
Health care and social assistance sector provides robust and stable local employment opportunities.
Warm, subtropical climate with abundant sunshine ideal for outdoor living year-round.
Strong community infrastructure featuring community events, local markets, and family-friendly recreational spaces.
Drawbacks
Rental vacancy rates remain tight, mirroring broader regional Australian housing supply pressures.
Limited public transit infrastructure necessitates high reliance on private vehicle ownership.
Niche professional job sectors can be smaller, requiring specialized skills or remote work arrangements.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather patterns, including tropical storms and heavy regional rainfall events.
Distance from capital city metropolitan centers means specialized tertiary medical or entertainment options require travel.
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.
Bundaberg
#8Queensland, Australia
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
71.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
77
Business
69
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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