City Comparison
Amberg vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Amberg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Amberg
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amberg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amberg's average rent is
50% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Amberg | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $630 | $1,250 | -50% |
| Groceries | $452 | $380 | +19% |
| Utilities | $290 | $175 | +66% |
| Transport | $75 | $110 | -32% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $230 | -57% |
| Monthly Total | $1,547 | $2,145 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 60 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Amberg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amberg is estimated at
$58,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Amberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 100,000 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $70,000 | $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 | Amberg | 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 | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amberg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Amberg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Amberg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Amberg is the larger city
— approximately 7.6x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Amberg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Amberg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amberg | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,241 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amberg
Advantages
Amberg offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to larger German cities like Frankfurt, particularly in housing and daily expenses.
The city boasts a well-preserved medieval old town and a rich historical character, providing a unique and attractive living environment.
Amberg has a high quality of life, supported by a safe environment and access to both urban amenities and natural landscapes.
The public transportation system, including regional trains and buses, provides efficient mobility within the city and to surrounding areas.
The presence of Klinikum St. Marien Amberg and other medical facilities ensures high-quality healthcare access for residents.
Drawbacks
Specific data on job growth rates and new business growth for Amberg is limited, making it challenging to assess dynamic economic expansion.
While generally safe, the safety index of 49 suggests a moderate level of perceived safety, which might be a consideration for some.
The median age of 44 years indicates a relatively older population, which might mean a less vibrant youth culture compared to larger university towns.
The city's conservative and close-knit community might present challenges for international residents seeking to integrate quickly.
Compared to major metropolitan areas, Amberg may offer fewer diverse entertainment and nightlife options.
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.
Amberg
#4Bavaria, Germany
71.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
60
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
65
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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