City Comparison
Invercargill 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
Invercargill
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swartz Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Invercargill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Invercargill's average rent is
58% higher than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Invercargill | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,980 | $1,250 | +58% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $196 | $175 | +12% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,916 | $2,145 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 11% 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 Invercargill is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Invercargill | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,050 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,947 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $60,982 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 70 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 24.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Invercargill | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 50.40°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 57.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 181 | 251 |
| Humidity | 84.60% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Invercargill.
Invercargill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Invercargill leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Invercargill | 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
Invercargill is the larger city
— approximately 10.1x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Swartz Creek is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Invercargill has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Invercargill | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,600 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Invercargill
Advantages
Invercargill is one of New Zealand's most affordable cities, with significantly lower living costs and housing prices compared to major centers.
The city offers excellent access to natural beauty, including Fiordland, The Catlins, and Stewart Island, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Invercargill boasts strong community infrastructure, including modern sporting facilities like a stadium, velodrome, and aquatic center.
The housing market is accessible for first-home buyers, with a median rent of NZD 495 per week and a median property price of NZD 547,087 as of August 2026.
The city has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
The weather in Invercargill is known for being cool and often rainy, with winters that can get quite cold.
Employment opportunities can be more limited compared to larger New Zealand cities, with a strong reliance on primary industries.
The nightlife and entertainment options are generally quieter than in larger urban centers.
Invercargill can feel geographically isolated from other major cities in New Zealand, requiring longer travel times.
While generally safe, Invercargill Central has a crime rate of 545.307 crimes per thousand residents, with theft being the most common offense.
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.
Invercargill
#46Southland, New Zealand
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,980
Avg Salary
$55,050
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
181/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
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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