City Comparison
Vitrolles 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
Vitrolles
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vitrolles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vitrolles's average rent is
24% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Vitrolles | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $410 | $380 | +8% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,865 | $2,145 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 27% 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 Vitrolles is estimated at
$40,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Vitrolles | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,136 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $44,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Vitrolles runs warmer on average — a 11.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Vitrolles comes out ahead with 38 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 | Vitrolles | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.50°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 31.00 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 251 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swartz Creek has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Vitrolles.
Vitrolles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vitrolles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vitrolles | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vitrolles is the larger city
— approximately 6.2x the population of Swartz Creek.
From a growth perspective, Vitrolles 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 | Vitrolles | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,280 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vitrolles
Advantages
Strategic location within the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis with exceptional highway and rail connectivity
Significantly more affordable housing options compared to neighboring Aix-en-Provence and central Marseille
Abundant sunshine averaging nearly 289 sunny days per year under a classic Mediterranean climate
Proximity to major employment clusters, Marseille Provence Airport, and the industrial zones of Étang de Berre
Rich local amenities including lakeside recreation at Étang de Berre and cultural events at the Roucas theater
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average local unemployment rate compared to national baseline figures
Heavy car dependency required to navigate sprawling suburban business parks and industrial zones
Occasional traffic congestion along primary commuter corridors connecting to Marseille and Aix
Certain commercial and residential sectors experience standard urban property crime challenges
Summer heatwaves can occasionally elevate regional air pollution and wildfire alert levels
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.
Vitrolles
#35Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
60.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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