City Comparison
San Felipe vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Felipe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Felipe
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Felipe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Felipe's average rent is
38% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | San Felipe | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $775 | $1,250 | -38% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $100 | $175 | -43% |
| Transport | $100 | $110 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $1,475 | $2,145 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 40 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 68% 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 San Felipe is estimated at
$1,700 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | San Felipe | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $20,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $1,700 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,000 idx | 67,391 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swartz Creek runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 251 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 | San Felipe | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
San Felipe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
San Felipe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Felipe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Felipe | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Felipe is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, San Felipe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Felipe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Felipe | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,143 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Felipe
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to U.S. coastal cities, with comfortable monthly expenses for singles and couples.
Affordable housing market, with reasonable rental prices and property values considerably lower than in the U.S.
Relaxed, community-oriented lifestyle attractive to retirees and those seeking a slower pace of life.
Proximity to the U.S. border (approximately two hours from Calexico/Mexicali), facilitating easier travel for American visitors.
Unique natural environment where the desert meets the Sea of Cortez, offering scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Limited advanced healthcare facilities, requiring transfer to Mexicali for serious medical conditions.
Summers are very hot, with temperatures potentially reaching 46°C (115°F) in July and August, increasing utility costs due to air conditioning use.
While generally safer than some larger cities, Baja California as a state has a Level 3 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department due to crime and kidnapping concerns.
Pedestrian infrastructure can be limited in some areas, making walking less practical for longer distances.
Some services and amenities may be limited compared to larger urban centers.
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.
San Felipe
#148Baja California, Mexico
71.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$775
Avg Salary
$20,000
Cost Index
40
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
55
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 San Felipe and Swartz Creek.
Open Cost Calculator