City Comparison
Davison vs Southfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Davison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Davison
Southfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Southfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davison's average rent is
21% lower than Southfield's.
| Metric | Davison | Southfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,405 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Southfield offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Southfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Davison is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Southfield.
| Metric | Davison | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $74,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Southfield sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Davison | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 30.90 in | 32.40 in |
| Snowfall | 35.70 in | 36.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 246 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Davison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Davison | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Southfield 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.
| Metric | Davison | Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,150 | 76,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Southfield
Advantages
Strategic location in Oakland County with direct access to major freeways like I-696 and US-10
Robust commercial hub hosting numerous corporate headquarters and professional service firms
Diverse and welcoming community with strong cultural representation and active local engagement
Excellent healthcare infrastructure anchored by Ascension Providence Hospital
More affordable housing options compared to neighboring affluent Oakland County communities
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited walkability and transit scores outside central corridors
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding townships
Traffic congestion along major commuter arteries during peak rush hours
Varying crime rates and safety profiles depending on the specific neighborhood
Older housing stock in some areas may require significant maintenance or updates
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
Southfield
#282Michigan, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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