City Comparison
Strausberg vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Swartz Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Strausberg
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Strausberg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Strausberg | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,250 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $230 | $175 | +31% |
| Transport | $95 | $110 | -14% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,105 | $2,145 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 23% 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 Strausberg is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Strausberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $49,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 22 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Strausberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 74.30°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 30.30°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 22.40 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 11.60 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 251 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Strausberg.
Strausberg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Strausberg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Strausberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 38 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Strausberg is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Strausberg 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 | Strausberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,850 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 45.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Strausberg
Advantages
Direct S-Bahn connection (S5) providing seamless commuter access to central Berlin
Scenic natural surroundings featuring the Straussee lake and extensive surrounding forests
Lower average housing and rental costs compared to central Berlin and its immediate inner-ring suburbs
Rich historic heritage with a well-preserved medieval town center and historic fortifications
Family-friendly environment with robust local schools, parks, and recreational facilities
Drawbacks
Commute times to western or southern parts of Berlin can be lengthy during peak transit hours
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers
Increasing housing demand has driven up local rental and property purchase prices in recent years
Reliance on regional transport links makes residents vulnerable to occasional rail network delays
Limited large-scale shopping complexes require trips to regional hubs for specialized retail
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.
Strausberg
#43Brandenburg, Germany
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
38 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
78
Business
67
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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