City Comparison
Barra Mansa vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Barra Mansa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Barra Mansa
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barra Mansa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barra Mansa's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Barra Mansa | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Utilities | $90 | $175 | -49% |
| Transport | $60 | $110 | -45% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $230 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $830 | $2,145 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 88% 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 Barra Mansa is estimated at
$4,800 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Barra Mansa | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $4,800 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,857 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Barra Mansa runs warmer on average — a 24°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 33 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 | Barra Mansa | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 72.70°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 76.30°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 69.40°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.40 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 218 | 251 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Barra Mansa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Barra Mansa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barra Mansa | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barra Mansa is the larger city
— approximately 31.9x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Barra Mansa 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 | Barra Mansa | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,675 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.55% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barra Mansa
Advantages
Strategic geographic location along the Presidente Dutra highway connecting Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo per IBGE and regional reports
Lower overall cost of living compared to major metropolitan state capitals while retaining urban conveniences
Active commercial and service sectors providing diverse employment options per municipal economic data
Strong industrial heritage and proximity to major regional manufacturing hubs in the Sul Fluminense region
High literacy rate exceeding 99% among adults aged 15 and older per official Censo data
Drawbacks
Urban traffic congestion during peak hours along main thoroughfares and bridges connecting to Volta Redonda
Local crime rates and security challenges reflective of broader urban trends in industrial interior regions
Limited municipal public transport infrastructure forcing heavier reliance on road transport and private vehicles
Fluctuations in local job market formality dependent on broader national economic shifts
Vulnerability of low-lying urban sectors to seasonal heavy rainfall and localized weather events
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.
Barra Mansa
#125Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
72.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.55%
Unemployment
7.50%
Livability
70
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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