City Comparison
Levis vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Levis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Levis
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Levis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Levis's average rent is
16% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Levis | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,250 | -16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $2,145 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Levis offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Levis is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Levis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 7.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 41 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Levis sees 49.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Levis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 40.90°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 74.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 3.30°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 51.80 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 83.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 210 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Levis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Levis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Levis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Levis is the larger city
— approximately 26.7x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Levis 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 | Levis | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Levis
Advantages
Headquarters of Desjardins Group provides a stable, high-paying corporate and financial job market per StatCan data.
Consistently lower crime rates and higher safety scores compared to the national average per Statistics Canada.
Home prices and average rents are notably more affordable than in neighboring Quebec City per 2025 real estate reports.
Extensive network of parks, green spaces, and the Parcours des Chutes bike paths enhance daily outdoor recreation.
Direct and scenic ferry access to downtown Quebec City simplifies commuting and cultural outings.
Drawbacks
Winters are harsh and demanding, featuring substantial snowfall averaging 83 inches per year.
Public transit coverage outside of major dense corridors is limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Bilingualism rates are lower than in Montreal, which can present a minor barrier for unilingual English speakers.
Bridge traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours heading toward Quebec City can be frustrating.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
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.
Levis
#17Quebec, Canada
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
210/yr
Avg Temp
40.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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