Bay City, Michigan
Among the top 18% of US places for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 82% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 62% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 31% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 80% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 32% of US places
- top 8% for cost of living
- top 14% for sales tax
- bottom 9% for property tax rate
Bay City is a mid-size city in Michigan with about 33,000 residents. It grades B+ for affordability and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include cost of living, sales tax, and walkability. It rates lower on annual snowfall and property tax rate.
Official websitebaycitymi.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freez.
very cold
cool
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warm
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cool
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v.cold
71%36%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.4 in1.8 in
humid 68%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$45k19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$42kbetter than 92% of US places
Home Value$83k14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$726better than 77% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$987better than 83% of US places
Property Tax Rate2.06%better than 9% of US places
Income Tax4.30%better than 69% of US places
Sales Tax6.00%better than 86% of US places
Estimated total tax burden10.08%better than 46% of US places
Unemployment6.2%better than 30% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)23°F16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation33.1 in27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall49.0 inbetter than 14% of US places
Sunny Days226 daysbetter than 42% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 71% of US places
Comfortable Days95 daysbetter than 79% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk38.1better than 83% of US places
Air Quality51 AQIbetter than 15% of US places
School Quality51.1better than 38% of US places
Violent Crime1243/100kbetter than 25% of US places
Property Crime951/100kbetter than 50% of US places
Community
Population32,66496th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.241st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2354th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9031st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1238th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)81.8%44th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.7%69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)10.6%74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.3%60th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.5%67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time21 minbetter than 79% of US places
Walkability9.6/20better than 84% of US places
Airport Distance96 mibetter than 39% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.3%better than 50% of US places
Amenities Nearby31.84better than 29% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 46% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bay City an affordable place to live?
- Bay City is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $42k, better than 92% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Bay City?
- The median home value in Bay City is $83k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Bay City?
- Median household income in Bay City is $45k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Bay City?
- Median gross rent in Bay City is $726 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Bay City safe?
- Bay City is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1243/100k (better than 25%). Property crime is 951/100k.
- What is the weather like in Bay City?
- Bay City averages 71°F in July and 23°F in January, with 33.1 in of annual precipitation and about 226 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Bay City?
- Public-school quality in Bay City is below average, scoring better than 38% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Bay City?
- The average one-way commute in Bay City is 21 min.
Places near Bay City
Compare Bay City
Explore Michigan
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)