City Comparison
Winton 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
Winton
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Winton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Winton | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,223 | $1,250 | -2% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $2,073 | $2,145 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 59% 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 Winton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Winton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $25,425 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,781 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $41,132 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 73 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Winton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 50.30°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 48.30°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 56.00 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 12.50 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 178 | 251 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Winton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
Swartz Creek scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Winton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Winton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Swartz Creek is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Winton.
From a growth perspective, Winton 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 | Winton | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,578 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Winton
Advantages
Winton boasts a low crime rate, making it a safe environment for families and children.
The town offers a warmer, drier, and calmer climate compared to coastal areas of Southland, attracting new residents.
Housing values in Winton have shown steady growth, with an 8% rise in average residential property values as of November 2024.
The local economy is stable, underpinned by a strong and diversified agricultural sector including dairy, sheep, and sawmilling.
Winton provides good access to healthcare services, including a local medical practice, a birthing center, and regional hospital support.
Drawbacks
The median age in Winton is 43.3 years, which is higher than the national median, potentially indicating a less youthful demographic.
Public transportation options are limited, making car dependency high for residents.
While growing, the population size of Winton remains small, which may limit certain amenities and opportunities found in larger towns.
Specific, recent unemployment data for Winton is not readily available, making it difficult to assess current local job market fluidity.
The cost of rent has been steadily increasing, with median weekly rent reaching $500 NZD in August 2026.
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.
Winton
#35Southland, New Zealand
63.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,223
Avg Salary
$25,425
Cost Index
80
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
178/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
78
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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