City Comparison
Moncton vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moncton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Moncton
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moncton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moncton's average rent is
34% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Moncton | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $829 | $1,250 | -34% |
| Groceries | $258 | $380 | -32% |
| Utilities | $207 | $175 | +18% |
| Transport | $52 | $110 | -53% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,346 | $2,145 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 47% 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 Moncton is estimated at
$37,259 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Moncton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $32,764 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $37,259 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,006 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $48,280 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 251 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 | Moncton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moncton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Moncton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Swartz Creek leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Moncton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moncton is the larger city
— approximately 18x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Moncton 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 | Moncton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,378 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.70% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 9.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moncton
Advantages
Moncton boasts an affordable cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities.
The city has a strong and growing economy with diverse job opportunities.
Moncton is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong community ties.
Its central location in the Maritimes makes it a strategic hub for transportation and business.
The average commute time in Moncton is relatively short, at 14.7 minutes.
Drawbacks
Access to a family doctor can be challenging, reflecting a broader issue in New Brunswick.
The city experiences harsh winters with significant snow and cold temperatures.
Public transportation options are considered limited compared to larger cities, leading to higher car dependency.
Rapid population growth has led to housing supply strain and an affordability crisis, with rising rents and home prices.
Moncton has seen increases in its crime rate and violent crime severity index in recent years.
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.
Moncton
#20New Brunswick, Canada
68.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$829
Avg Salary
$32,764
Cost Index
63
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.70%
Unemployment
9.10%
Livability
79
Business
80
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
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