City Comparison
Casas Grandes vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Casas Grandes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Casas Grandes
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Casas Grandes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Casas Grandes's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Utilities | $65 | $175 | -63% |
| Transport | $50 | $110 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $230 | -57% |
| Monthly Total | $785 | $2,145 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 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 Casas Grandes is estimated at
$6,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Casas Grandes runs warmer on average — a 15.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Casas Grandes comes out ahead with 80 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 32.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 35.40°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 11.70 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.80 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | 251 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Casas Grandes has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
For walkability, Casas Grandes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Casas Grandes is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Casas Grandes is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Casas Grandes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,587 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Casas Grandes
Advantages
Municipal population of approximately 11,500 offers a peaceful, low-stress small-town environment.
Proximity to the Paquimé archaeological zone provides rich cultural and historical value.
Exceptionally high count of sunny days (331 days annually) supporting outdoor lifestyles.
Significantly lower housing and cost of living expenses compared to major North American cities.
Strong community identity centered around traditional arts, agriculture, and local heritage.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of agriculture, tourism, and small-scale commerce.
Reliance on neighboring Nuevo Casas Grandes for advanced healthcare and specialized retail.
Low annual rainfall (11.7 inches) requires conscious water management and drought awareness.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership nearly essential.
Fewer high-speed broadband options in outlying rural areas outside the town center.
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.
Casas Grandes
#94Chihuahua, Mexico
75.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
60
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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