City Comparison
Swartz Creek vs Warren
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Swartz Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Swartz Creek
Warren
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swartz Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Warren.
| Metric | Swartz Creek | Warren | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,350 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,250 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Warren offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Warren delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Swartz Creek is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Warren.
| Metric | Swartz Creek | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 69,565 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Swartz Creek | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 80.20°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | 17.90°F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | 33.70 in |
| Snowfall | 33.60 in | 31.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 244 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Warren.
Warren 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 | Swartz Creek | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Warren is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Swartz Creek 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 | Swartz Creek | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,700 | 137,350 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Warren
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly more affordable than the national average.
Major employment hub anchored by General Motors and the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal.
Extensive recreational facilities, notably the state-of-the-art Warren Community Center.
Convenient central location in Metro Detroit with rapid access to major regional highways.
Diverse community with established neighborhoods and active local civic programs.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited high-capacity rapid transit options.
Older housing stock may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Industrial density can lead to localized heavy truck traffic during peak hours.
Winters are cold and snowy, driving up seasonal heating and snow-removal costs.
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high for certain homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Warren
#347Michigan, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
70
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