City Comparison
Alba 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
Alba
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alba is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alba's average rent is
24% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Alba | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $2,145 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 45% 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 Alba is estimated at
$30,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Alba | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,957 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $36,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Alba runs warmer on average — a 9.4°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 31.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Alba | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Alba scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alba leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alba | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Swartz Creek is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Alba.
From a growth perspective, Alba 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 | Alba | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 315 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alba
Advantages
World-renowned culinary and wine culture anchored by truffles and Barolo wines per official tourism data
Extremely low unemployment rate compared to the national average per ISTAT 2024
High safety and public security index across all neighborhoods per Ministry of Interior statistics
Presence of global corporate employer Ferrero providing strong career opportunities per local economic reports
Proportionate access to UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscapes and outdoor recreation per regional data
Drawbacks
Higher housing costs and rental prices compared to the regional provincial average per Immobiliare.it 2024
Heavy reliance on private vehicular transport for regional commuting outside rail corridors
Limited public transit frequency during off-peak hours and weekends
Influx of seasonal tourism can lead to congestion in the historic center during autumn months
Higher cost of living relative to southern Italian municipalities per national consumer data
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.
Alba
#66Piedmont, Italy
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
58.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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