City Comparison
Centurion vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centurion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Centurion
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centurion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
45% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centurion's average rent is
56% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Centurion | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,250 | -56% |
| Groceries | $280 | $380 | -26% |
| Utilities | $130 | $175 | -26% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $230 | -48% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,145 | -45% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 73% 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 Centurion is estimated at
$13,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Centurion | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $16,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $13,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,286 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Centurion runs warmer on average — a 15.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Centurion | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.80°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 66.40°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 61.90°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | 251 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Centurion.
Centurion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Swartz Creek leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Centurion | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centurion is the larger city
— approximately 64x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Centurion 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 | Centurion | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 26.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centurion
Advantages
Strategically positioned between Pretoria and Johannesburg with excellent highway and Gautrain rapid rail access.
Home to world-class private medical facilities including Netcare Unitas and Mediclinic Centurion.
Abundant secure lifestyle estates offering high-level security and family-friendly amenities.
Thriving tech and corporate employment hub with extensive fiber-optic internet infrastructure.
Favorable climate with over 230 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency leading to significant peak-hour traffic congestion on major arterial routes.
Crime rates in traditional open suburbs require reliance on private security and armed response services.
National economic pressures and high structural unemployment impact broader regional economic mobility.
Load shedding and municipal electricity grid instability necessitate private backup power solutions like generators or solar.
Public mass transit options are limited outside of the Gautrain rapid rail network.
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.
Centurion
#4Gauteng, South Africa
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$16,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
26.80%
Livability
73
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Centurion and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator