City Comparison
Apaseo el Grande vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apaseo el Grande scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apaseo el Grande
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apaseo el Grande is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apaseo el Grande's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $180 | $380 | -53% |
| Utilities | $55 | $175 | -69% |
| Transport | $40 | $110 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $230 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $675 | $2,145 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 85% 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 Apaseo el Grande is estimated at
$7,800 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,800 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,143 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apaseo el Grande runs warmer on average — a 18.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apaseo el Grande comes out ahead with 14 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 | Apaseo el Grande | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.60°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 251 |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Apaseo el Grande.
Apaseo el Grande scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Apaseo el Grande leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apaseo el Grande is the larger city
— approximately 21.9x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Apaseo el Grande is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Apaseo el Grande has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apaseo el Grande | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apaseo el Grande
Advantages
Strategic location along the Bajío industrial and highway corridor adjacent to Querétaro
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major US and Mexican metros
Rapidly growing job market driven by major automotive manufacturers and supply chains
Rich colonial history, vibrant local culture, and traditional community atmosphere
Abundant sunshine with 265 sunny days per year and pleasant, mild summer temperatures
Drawbacks
Regional security challenges and property crime linked to wider Guanajuato industrial logistics corridors
Limited local high-end entertainment, cultural venues, and luxury retail options
Heavy reliance on neighboring cities like Celaya and Querétaro for advanced healthcare and specialized services
Traffic congestion during peak shift changes around major industrial parks and federal highways
Semi-arid climate experiences seasonal dry spells and moderate annual rainfall variations
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.
Apaseo el Grande
#100Guanajuato, Mexico
74.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
35
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
67.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
67
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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