City Comparison
Mardan vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mardan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mardan
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mardan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
82% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mardan's average rent is
90% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Mardan | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $130 | $1,250 | -90% |
| Groceries | $140 | $380 | -63% |
| Utilities | $45 | $175 | -74% |
| Transport | $30 | $110 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $35 | $230 | -85% |
| Monthly Total | $380 | $2,145 | -82% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 96% 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 Mardan is estimated at
$2,100 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Mardan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,400 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,100 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 8,571 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $3,600 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mardan runs warmer on average — a 21.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mardan comes out ahead with 19 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 | Mardan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 70.30°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 93.70°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 44.90 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 251 |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Mardan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mardan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mardan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mardan is the larger city
— approximately 76.3x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Mardan 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 | Mardan | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 435,000 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 23.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mardan
Advantages
Cost of living is exceptionally low, offering high purchasing power for basic necessities
Rich historical and cultural heritage featuring UNESCO sites like Takht-i-Bahi
Expanding higher education sector anchored by Abdul Wali Khan University
Strong community support networks and traditional Pashtun hospitality
Pleasant proximity to scenic valley foothills and agricultural landscapes
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures can be quite intense during peak months
Limited high-paying formal corporate job market compared to major national hubs
Public transport infrastructure lacks modern integrated mass transit systems
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger neighboring cities
Traffic congestion and air quality challenges during peak hours in central bazaars
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.
Mardan
#5Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
76.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$130
Avg Salary
$2,400
Cost Index
28
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
70.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
67
Business
60
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Mardan and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator