City Comparison
La Maddalena 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
La Maddalena
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swartz Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in La Maddalena.
| Metric | La Maddalena | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 | +8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $202 | $175 | +15% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $2,192 | $2,145 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 50% 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 La Maddalena is estimated at
$36,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | La Maddalena | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $31,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,392 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $32,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Maddalena runs warmer on average — a 16.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Maddalena comes out ahead with 18 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 | La Maddalena | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.20°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 24.30 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
La Maddalena has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
La Maddalena scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Maddalena leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Maddalena | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
La Maddalena is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x 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, Swartz Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Maddalena | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,449 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Maddalena
Advantages
Located entirely within the protected La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, offering pristine beaches and world-class nature preservation.
Extremely low crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community atmosphere year-round.
Rich historical and cultural heritage, famously connected to Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Exceptional outdoor lifestyle opportunities including premier sailing, diving, and coastal hiking.
Charming Mediterranean urban core with pedestrianized historic streets, local cafes, and traditional architecture.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated real estate prices driven by intense seasonal tourism demand.
Strong economic seasonality leading to employment fluctuations outside the summer months.
Logistical dependence on ferry services to mainland Sardinia for major goods, specialized services, and large healthcare needs.
Limited year-round rental stock as property owners favor lucrative short-term vacation rentals.
Narrow local job market heavily restricted to tourism, hospitality, and public services.
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.
La Maddalena
#132Sardinia, Italy
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$31,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
65.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
78
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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