City Comparison
New Plymouth vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Plymouth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Plymouth
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Plymouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
73% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Plymouth's average rent is
54% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,250 | -54% |
| Groceries | $0 | $380 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $175 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $110 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $580 | $2,145 | -73% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $48,000 |
| Household Income | $39,200 | $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 | New Plymouth | 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 | 83.30% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to New Plymouth.
New Plymouth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Plymouth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Plymouth is the larger city
— approximately 15.8x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, New Plymouth 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 | New Plymouth | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,100 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.41% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Plymouth
Advantages
Recognized for its beauty and liveability, winning awards for being New Zealand's most beautiful small city and most liveable city in its population category.
Offers a balanced lifestyle with a mix of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation, including coastal landscapes and Mount Taranaki.
Strong emphasis on walking and cycling infrastructure, making it a model community for active transport.
Robust economy driven by diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major New Zealand cities.
Drawbacks
Winters are wet and cold, and the city is described as windy and partly cloudy year-round.
While generally safe, like any city, crime can be a concern in certain areas.
The median age is slightly above the national average, suggesting an aging population.
Reliance on specific industries like dairy and oil/gas can make the economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Public transport options may be less developed compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
New Plymouth
#9New Plymouth, New Zealand
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.41%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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