City Comparison
Davison vs St. Clair Shores
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Clair Shores scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Davison
St. Clair Shores
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in St. Clair Shores.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davison's average rent is
21% lower than St. Clair Shores's.
| Metric | Davison | St. Clair Shores | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,405 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Clair Shores offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores.
| Metric | Davison | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Davison sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Davison | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | 79.20°F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | 19.60°F |
| Rainfall | 30.90 in | 32.60 in |
| Snowfall | 35.70 in | 33.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 244 |
| 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 St. Clair Shores.
For walkability, Davison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Davison | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Clair Shores 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, St. Clair Shores has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Davison | St. Clair Shores |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,150 | 58,800 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| 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.
St. Clair Shores
Advantages
Extensive waterfront access and boating culture along the famous Nautical Mile and Lake St. Clair
Crime rates consistently lower than both Michigan state averages and national benchmarks
More affordable housing options compared to western and northern Detroit metro suburbs
Proximity to major regional employment centers in Detroit, Warren, and Troy via I-94
Active municipal park system featuring popular community gathering spots like Blossom Heath Park
Drawbacks
High car-dependency with limited robust public mass transit options within city borders
Older housing stock often requires ongoing maintenance and updates for modern energy efficiency
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high compared to some outer-ring suburbs
Winters bring substantial snowfall (33.5 inches annually) requiring regular snow removal
Limited large corporate headquarters physically located inside city limits, necessitating commutes
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
St. Clair Shores
#139Michigan, USA
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
76
Business
68
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