City Comparison
Avallon 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
Avallon
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Avallon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Avallon's average rent is
21% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Avallon | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $950 | -21% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $1,845 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bay City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Avallon is estimated at
$35,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Avallon | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,211 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $23,910 | $48,500 |
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 | Avallon | 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 | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Avallon.
Avallon scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Avallon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Avallon | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Avallon.
From a growth perspective, Avallon 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 | Avallon | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,011 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 11.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Avallon
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median apartment prices around €1,310/m² and median home prices around €1,541/m².
Lower cost of living compared to national averages, with a cost of living index of 95.
Rich historical heritage and well-preserved medieval town center, contributing to a high quality of life.
Access to natural beauty and outdoor activities through its location within the Morvan Regional Natural Park.
Generally safe environment with a low crime rate, fostering a sense of security for residents.
Drawbacks
Population has been experiencing a decline, with an estimated population of around 6,000 in 2026.
Aging population with a median age of approximately 46 years.
Unemployment rate is higher than the national average, recorded at 11.2% for the arrondissement in 2022.
Limited public transportation options, resulting in a medium car dependency.
Access to specialized healthcare may require travel to larger regional centers.
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.
Avallon
#59Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
44.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
11.20%
Livability
72
Business
60
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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