City Comparison
Jerteh vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jerteh scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Jerteh
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jerteh is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jerteh's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Jerteh | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $200 | $380 | -47% |
| Utilities | $70 | $175 | -60% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $230 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $790 | $2,145 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 85% 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 Jerteh is estimated at
$8,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Jerteh | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $11,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Jerteh runs warmer on average — a 31.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 157 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Jerteh | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.10°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 88.70°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 71.70°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 131.90 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | 251 |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Jerteh has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
For walkability, Jerteh leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jerteh | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Jerteh is the larger city
— approximately 7.9x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Jerteh is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jerteh has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Jerteh | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jerteh
Advantages
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than Malaysia's national urban averages, offering high affordability.
Strategic gateway location providing convenient access to the Perhentian Islands and Lata Belatan waterfalls.
Low crime rates and a strong community-oriented environment create an exceptionally safe atmosphere for families.
Rich local culinary scene featuring authentic Terengganu traditional cuisine at highly accessible prices.
Peaceful, unhurried small-town lifestyle free from major metropolitan congestion and stress.
Drawbacks
Limited local employment opportunities outside of agriculture, retail, education, and public administration.
Heavy reliance on private vehicle transport due to a lack of comprehensive urban public transit networks.
Fewer advanced entertainment, nightlife, and cultural amenities compared to major Malaysian cities.
Need to travel to larger cities like Kota Bharu for specialized medical treatments and major retail shopping.
Susceptibility to seasonal heavy rainfall and localized flooding during the Northeast Monsoon season.
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.
Jerteh
#29Terengganu, Malaysia
78.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
80.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
62
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 Jerteh and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator