City Comparison
Melfi 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
Melfi
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Melfi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Melfi's average rent is
48% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Melfi | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,250 | -48% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $85 | $110 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $230 | -48% |
| Monthly Total | $1,365 | $2,145 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 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 Melfi is estimated at
$24,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Melfi | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,889 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $29,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Melfi runs warmer on average — a 10.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Melfi comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 22.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Melfi | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 38.60°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 30.40 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 10.80 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Melfi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Melfi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Melfi | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Melfi is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x 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 | Melfi | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,500 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 9.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Melfi
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to northern Italian cities.
Rich historical heritage highlighted by the iconic Norman-Swabian Castle and Mount Vulture landscapes.
Extremely low crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Strong local economy anchored by major automotive manufacturing and supportive industrial supply chains.
Profound access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, volcanic lakes, and regional nature reserves.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options across the mountainous terrain.
Economy is heavily dependent on a single major industrial sector (automotive manufacturing).
Limited high-end cultural nightlife and entertainment venues compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Youth outmigration trends impact broader demographic growth and local service expansion.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger regional hospitals outside the immediate municipality.
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.
Melfi
#72Basilicata, Italy
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$28,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
9.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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