City Comparison
Padang Rengas vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Padang Rengas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Padang Rengas
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Padang Rengas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Padang Rengas's average rent is
78% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Padang Rengas | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $280 | $1,250 | -78% |
| Groceries | $200 | $380 | -47% |
| Utilities | $75 | $175 | -57% |
| Transport | $60 | $110 | -45% |
| Healthcare | $90 | $230 | -61% |
| Monthly Total | $705 | $2,145 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 86% 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 Padang Rengas is estimated at
$7,200 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Padang Rengas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,200 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 22,368 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $9,600 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Padang Rengas runs warmer on average — a 33.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 173 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 | Padang Rengas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.00°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 90.20°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 73.70°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 120.30 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 78 | 251 |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Padang Rengas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Padang Rengas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Padang Rengas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Padang Rengas is the larger city
— approximately 5x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Swartz Creek is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Padang Rengas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Padang Rengas | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,500 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Padang Rengas
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of housing and daily expenses compared to major Malaysian urban centers
Peaceful, low-crime environment with a strong sense of traditional community and neighborliness
Proportionately affordable local dining featuring authentic traditional cuisine at modest prices
Scenic natural surroundings with proximity to rural Perak landscapes and outdoor recreational spots
Direct rail connectivity via the local KTM railway station linking to major regional cities
Drawbacks
Limited local job market with few high-paying corporate or professional employment opportunities
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles due to limited comprehensive public transit within the town
Hot and humid tropical climate year-round with frequent heavy rainfall events
Fewer entertainment, modern retail, and nightlife options compared to larger cities like Ipoh
Younger demographic drain as young professionals frequently relocate to larger urban economic hubs
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.
Padang Rengas
#52Perak, Malaysia
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$280
Avg Salary
$8,500
Cost Index
38
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
78/yr
Avg Temp
82.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
Business
58
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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