City Comparison
Arras vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bay City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arras
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Arras | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $950 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $185 | $175 | +6% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $675 | $1,845 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Arras | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $42,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bay City runs warmer on average — a 48.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arras | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | °F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 79.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Arras has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Bay City.
Bay City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arras leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arras | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | — | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arras is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Arras is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bay City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arras | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,337 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.65% | — |
| Median Age | 41.5 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arras
Advantages
Arras is generally considered a safe city with a low crime rate, making it appealing for residents and visitors alike.
The city offers a moderate cost of living, which is generally lower than the national average for France, contributing to its affordability.
Arras boasts a rich history and well-preserved Baroque architecture, particularly around its Grand Place, offering a visually appealing environment.
Its strategic location in Hauts-de-France provides good access to other parts of France and Europe.
The city has a stable population with a slight annual growth, indicating a consistent and perhaps growing appeal as a place to live.
Drawbacks
Detailed information on specific major employers and the job market's growth sectors is limited in the provided search results.
Specific data on the average salary and median household income for Arras is not readily available in the search results.
While generally safe, like any city, basic precautions are advised, especially at night.
Public transportation details and comprehensive walkability scores are not extensively covered in the provided search results.
The number of hospitals and detailed healthcare quality metrics for Arras are not specified in the search results.
Bay City
Advantages
Median home prices in Bay City are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Abundant waterfront access along the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay supports a strong boating and outdoor recreation culture.
Rich architectural heritage featuring expansive historic districts with preserved 19th-century Victorian homes.
Low overall cost of living indices allow residents to enjoy greater financial affordability on everyday goods and utilities.
Active downtown district featuring local dining, craft beverage makers, and community festivals.
Drawbacks
Cold, snowy winters require residents to adapt to significant seasonal snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal automobiles for daily transportation.
Job growth in certain traditional sectors has lagged behind larger metropolitan areas in Michigan.
Higher poverty rates in specific city neighborhoods compared to the broader suburban county areas.
Cooler spring and autumn shoulder seasons shorten the peak window for outdoor activities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Arras
#37Hauts-de-France, France
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.65%
Unemployment
7.54%
Livability
74
Business
68
Bay City
#401Michigan, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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