City Comparison
Eastbourne vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eastbourne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Eastbourne
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eastbourne is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eastbourne's average rent is
51% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $613 | $1,250 | -51% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,613 | $2,145 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Eastbourne offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Eastbourne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Eastbourne is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,579 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $132,700 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Eastbourne runs warmer on average — a 6.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 48 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 32.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.30°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 53.20°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 54.70°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 52.70 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.90 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 203 | 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 Eastbourne.
Eastbourne scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Eastbourne leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eastbourne | 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
Swartz Creek is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Eastbourne.
From a growth perspective, Eastbourne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Eastbourne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Eastbourne | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,760 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 46.5 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Eastbourne
Advantages
The median rent in Eastbourne was NZ$613 per week in April 2026, indicating a stable rental market.
Eastbourne offers a strong sense of community and a relaxed lifestyle, appealing to those seeking a tranquil environment.
Residents have easy access to natural beauty, including native bush, walking tracks, and Wellington Harbour, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
The suburb has a high rate of homeownership, with 82% of households owning their home or holding it in a family trust as of 2023.
Eastbourne is considered a safe area, benefiting from New Zealand's low crime rates and a close-knit community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The average house value in Eastbourne was NZ$1,039,550 as of April 2026, making it an expensive area to purchase property.
Eastbourne is vulnerable to sea-level rise, a concern for long-term property owners and insurers.
Access to Eastbourne is primarily via a single coastal road, which could be a vulnerability during emergencies or adverse weather conditions.
The median age in Eastbourne is 46.5 years, indicating an older demographic compared to the national average.
While specific public transport scores are unavailable, the suburb's geography may limit extensive public transit options, potentially increasing car dependency.
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.
Eastbourne
#20Wellington, New Zealand
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$613
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
203/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
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
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