City Comparison
Brunswick vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brunswick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brunswick
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Brunswick.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brunswick's average rent is
74% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Brunswick | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $950 | +74% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $1,845 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brunswick offers 23% higher 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 Brunswick is estimated at
$55,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Brunswick | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,952 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $74,952 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Brunswick sees 12.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brunswick | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 77.10°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 40.30 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 47.30 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Brunswick scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brunswick leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brunswick | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Brunswick.
From a growth perspective, Brunswick is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brunswick has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brunswick | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,336 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.28% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brunswick
Advantages
Median household income stands at $74,952, outperforming many non-metropolitan areas in Maine.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connects downtown Brunswick directly to Boston.
Thriving innovation economy and job growth centered around the redeveloped Brunswick Landing campus.
Exceptional public safety with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Rich cultural and educational amenities driven by the presence of Bowdoin College.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is tight, putting upward pressure on local rental and home purchase prices.
High heating and electricity utility costs during severe New England winters.
Modest public transit infrastructure outside of the downtown core and rail connection.
Property taxes can be burdensome for fixed-income residents and retirees.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 47 inches annually.
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.
Brunswick
#162Maine, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.28%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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