City Comparison
Windsor 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
Windsor
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Windsor is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Windsor's average rent is
14% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Windsor | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,075 | $1,250 | -14% |
| Groceries | $313 | $380 | -18% |
| Utilities | $176 | $175 | +1% |
| Transport | $63 | $110 | -43% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $230 | -57% |
| Monthly Total | $1,727 | $2,145 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 25% 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 Windsor is estimated at
$42,600 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Windsor | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,605 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,600 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,058 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $50,190 | $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 | Windsor | 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 | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Windsor has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Windsor 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 | Windsor | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Windsor is the larger city
— approximately 40.3x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Windsor 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 | Windsor | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,660 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Windsor
Advantages
Median rent of $1,074.78 USD (August 2026) is more affordable than many other major Canadian cities.
Windsor's economy added 6,000 jobs in July 2026, indicating positive employment growth.
Windsor Regional Hospital holds "Accreditation with Exemplary Standing," the highest possible rating for quality patient care [cite: 21, 22 in previous turn].
Overall crime rates in Windsor decreased by 15% in July 2026 compared to the previous year [cite: 28 in previous turn].
Significant investment in the electric vehicle (EV) battery plant and automotive sector is driving economic development [cite: 34 in previous turn, 44 in previous turn].
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Windsor was 7.6% in July 2026, which is higher than the national and provincial averages.
Windsor's economy is highly concentrated in the automotive industry, making it vulnerable to trade conflicts and tariffs [cite: 42 in previous turn, 44 in previous turn].
Public perception of crime in Windsor is higher than statistical data suggests, potentially impacting residents' sense of safety [cite: 42 in previous turn].
The labor force participation rate in Windsor has been declining, contrasting with growing rates in Ontario and Canada.
Forecasted economic growth for Windsor in 2026 is slower (0.6%) due to tariffs and uncertainties [cite: 44 in previous turn].
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.
Windsor
#58Ontario, Canada
57.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,075
Avg Salary
$46,605
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
7.60%
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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