City Comparison
Summerside 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
Summerside
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Summerside is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Summerside's average rent is
29% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Summerside | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $882 | $1,250 | -29% |
| Groceries | $312 | $380 | -18% |
| Utilities | $186 | $175 | +6% |
| Transport | $46 | $110 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $230 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $1,476 | $2,145 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 51% 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 Summerside is estimated at
$35,280 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Summerside | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,659 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,280 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,969 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $45,050 | $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 | Summerside | 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 | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Summerside has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Summerside 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 | Summerside | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Summerside is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Summerside 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 | Summerside | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,557 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.9 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Summerside
Advantages
Growing economy with diversification into aerospace, IT, and renewable energy sectors.
Lower housing costs compared to many larger Canadian cities, attracting retirees and remote workers.
Strong sense of community and welcoming environment.
Access to local produce and seafood, contributing to a good quality of life.
Municipally owned electric utility, demonstrating leadership in green energy initiatives.
Drawbacks
Summerside's crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, particularly for property and violent crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent due to limited public transit options.
Average salaries in Summerside are lower than the Canadian national average.
The unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island (and by extension, Summerside) is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is becoming a concern, with incomes lagging behind rising home prices, making it challenging for some residents.
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.
Summerside
#64Prince Edward Island, Canada
52.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$30,659
Cost Index
99
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
7.60%
Livability
70
Business
72
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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