City Comparison
Macerata vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Macerata scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Macerata
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macerata is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macerata's average rent is
48% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Macerata | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,250 | -48% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $50 | $110 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $230 | -57% |
| Monthly Total | $1,310 | $2,145 | -39% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 55% 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 Macerata is estimated at
$24,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Macerata | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $31,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Macerata runs warmer on average — a 9.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Macerata comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Macerata | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.50°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 85.60°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 37.50°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 251 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Macerata has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Macerata scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Macerata leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Macerata | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macerata is the larger city
— approximately 7.1x 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, Swartz Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macerata | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,500 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macerata
Advantages
Historic university city with a vibrant cultural scene and the famous Sferisterio open-air opera house.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major northern Italian hubs.
High level of public safety and a peaceful, family-friendly community atmosphere.
Proximity to both the Adriatic coast beaches and the Sibillini Mountains for outdoor recreation.
Rich culinary traditions and local wine production embedded in daily life.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options for reaching remote rural areas outside the city can be limited.
Limited large-scale multinational corporate job market within the city limits.
Colder and more humid winter climate compared to southern Italy.
Steep hills and historic cobblestone streets can present accessibility challenges.
English proficiency outside of university and tourism sectors can occasionally be limited.
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.
Macerata
#30Marche, Italy
66.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$28,000
Cost Index
70
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
58.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
82
Business
65
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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