City Comparison
Davison vs Pontiac
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Davison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Davison
Pontiac
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Pontiac.
| Metric | Davison | Pontiac | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,250 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,185 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Davison offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Davison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Davison is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Pontiac.
| Metric | Davison | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 61,364 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $46,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Pontiac sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Davison | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | 49.10°F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | 16.90°F |
| Rainfall | 30.90 in | 31.70 in |
| Snowfall | 35.70 in | 36.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 240 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Davison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Pontiac.
For walkability, Davison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Davison | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pontiac is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Davison.
From a growth perspective, Davison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Davison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Davison | Pontiac |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,150 | 61,606 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Davison
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Highly rated local school district that attracts families seeking quality education in a small-town setting.
Low crime rates and a strong community safety profile compared to larger nearby metropolitan areas.
Charming and walkable historic downtown area featuring local boutiques, dining, and seasonal community events.
Convenient geographic location with easy access to I-69, providing straightforward commutes to Flint and surrounding employment centers.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the city.
Limited local high-paying corporate headquarters, requiring many residents to commute for specialized career opportunities.
Winters bring heavy snowfall averaging over 35 inches annually, requiring active snow removal and winter preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, necessitating trips to larger neighboring cities for major events.
Modest job growth rate within the immediate municipal boundaries compared to high-growth tech or financial hubs.
Pontiac
Advantages
Median home prices in Pontiac remain significantly below the Oakland County average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to major regional employment corridors along the I-75 loop and Metro Detroit.
Abundant outdoor recreation access via the Clinton River Trail and local parks.
Active downtown revitalization and historic preservation efforts led by local stakeholders.
Diverse community culture with frequent local festivals and neighborhood events.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain neighborhoods remain above the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options outside of primary bus routes are limited, requiring car ownership.
Public school district performance metrics lag behind wealthier surrounding townships.
Certain commercial corridors feature vacant properties awaiting redevelopment.
State Equalized Value and property tax structures can create financial burdens for homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Davison
#175Michigan, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
67
Pontiac
#551Michigan, USA
48.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
61
Business
63
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