City Comparison
Belconnen 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
Belconnen
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Belconnen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belconnen's average rent is
54% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Belconnen | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,250 | -54% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,500 | $2,145 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belconnen offers 49% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belconnen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belconnen is estimated at
$60,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Belconnen | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,352 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,213 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $92,352 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belconnen runs warmer on average — a 8.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belconnen comes out ahead with 38 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belconnen | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 52.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 56.90°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 21.00 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Belconnen.
Belconnen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belconnen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belconnen | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belconnen is the larger city
— approximately 19.3x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Belconnen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belconnen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belconnen | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,132 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belconnen
Advantages
Belconnen is the most populous district in the ACT, indicating a significant community and established infrastructure.
The district offers a diverse range of housing options, from apartments to houses, catering to various needs and preferences.
Belconnen is home to major educational and sporting institutions, including the University of Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport, providing employment and recreational opportunities.
The presence of Lake Ginninderra and numerous parks enhances the quality of life with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities.
Canberra, as a whole, is ranked highly for quality of life globally, and Belconnen benefits from this overall positive environment.
Drawbacks
Belconnen has been identified as a crime hotspot within Canberra, with higher rates of certain crimes compared to the ACT and national averages.
While property prices have seen some decreases in houses, the overall housing market can be competitive, and affordability remains a consideration.
Some reports indicate a higher proportion of children in Belconnen are developmentally vulnerable compared to ACT and national averages.
Belconnen's crime statistics show a concerning increase in violent crime in recent periods, despite decreases in other categories.
While Canberra is highly rated for quality of life, specific indicators like police services and graffiti/vandalism management have lower satisfaction rates among residents.
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.
Belconnen
#21Australian Capital Territory, Australia
55.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$92,352
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
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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