City Comparison
Kuala Perlis vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuala Perlis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Perlis
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Perlis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Perlis's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Kuala Perlis | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $250 | $380 | -34% |
| Utilities | $70 | $175 | -60% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $230 | -74% |
| Monthly Total | $820 | $2,145 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 85% 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 Kuala Perlis is estimated at
$8,500 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Kuala Perlis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,500 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 22,619 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $11,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuala Perlis runs warmer on average — a 33.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 128 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuala Perlis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.30°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 75.10°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 97.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 123 | 251 |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kuala Perlis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Kuala Perlis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kuala Perlis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Perlis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Perlis is the larger city
— approximately 3.9x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Kuala Perlis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuala Perlis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuala Perlis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuala Perlis
Advantages
Exceptionally low cost of living and affordable housing compared to major Malaysian urban centers
Direct maritime gateway to Langkawi Island, supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses
Renowned for fresh, high-quality, and reasonably priced local seafood cuisine
Peaceful, low-crime environment with a strong sense of community and traditional charm
Minimal traffic congestion and short commute times within the Perlis state region
Drawbacks
Limited corporate job market and fewer high-income professional career opportunities locally
Heavy reliance on private vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure
High humidity and consistent tropical heat year-round
Fewer advanced healthcare facilities within town limits, requiring travel to Kangar for specialized care
Seasonal tourist traffic around the ferry terminal can cause localized congestion during holidays
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.
Kuala Perlis
#42Perlis, Malaysia
76.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
123/yr
Avg Temp
82.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
62
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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