City Comparison
Fort Saskatchewan vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Saskatchewan
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swartz Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Fort Saskatchewan.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 | +8% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $210 | $175 | +20% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $230 | -22% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,145 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Saskatchewan offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Saskatchewan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Saskatchewan is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $83,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 10.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Saskatchewan comes out ahead with 30 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Saskatchewan sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.40°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 71.10°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | -1.00°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fort Saskatchewan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Saskatchewan is the larger city
— approximately 5.5x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Fort Saskatchewan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Swartz Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,165 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.93% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Saskatchewan
Advantages
Average household income exceeds $118,000, ranking among the highest in the regional municipal tier.
Strategically positioned adjacent to Alberta's Industrial Heartland, offering abundant high-paying technical and engineering careers.
Exceptional community safety profile with crime rates notably lower than the provincial and national urban averages.
Extensive network of over 75 kilometers of paved multi-use trail systems connecting parks and neighborhoods.
Lower average residential rent and housing purchase costs compared to neighboring Edmonton proper.
Drawbacks
High degree of car dependency due to limited intra-city public transit infrastructure.
Local rental market inventory can experience tight vacancy periods during peaks of industrial project expansions.
Winters feature prolonged sub-zero temperatures requiring robust winterization and vehicle maintenance (-1°F winter low) [Open-Meteo].
Proximity to heavy industrial zones means occasional industrial flaring or localized air quality advisories.
Retail and dining variety remains somewhat limited compared to major metropolitan centers, requiring trips to Edmonton for specialty goods.
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.
Fort Saskatchewan
#13Alberta, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
38.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.93%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
Business
74
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fort Saskatchewan and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator