City Comparison
Charnwood vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Charnwood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charnwood
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Charnwood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charnwood's average rent is
79% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Charnwood | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $950 | +79% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $1,845 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charnwood offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charnwood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charnwood is estimated at
$55,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Charnwood | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,300 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,053 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $67,090 | $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 | Charnwood | 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 | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Charnwood.
Charnwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charnwood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charnwood | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 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 0.1x the population of Charnwood.
From a growth perspective, Charnwood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Charnwood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Charnwood | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,055 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.03% | — |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.09% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charnwood
Advantages
Affordable property prices compared to ACT averages, offering good entry points for buyers.
Strong community-oriented environment with local markets and festivals fostering a sense of belonging.
Proximity to Belconnen Town Centre provides convenient access to shopping, arts, and recreational facilities.
Crime in Charnwood decreased by 100% from 2024 to 2025, with no homicide cases reported in 2025.
Median house prices in Charnwood saw a 5.6% growth from July 2025 to July 2026.
Drawbacks
Limited high-end properties available in the suburb.
Market fluctuations can occur, impacting property values.
Distance from Canberra's CBD means a longer commute for some residents.
Higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the ACT average in 2022-2024.
Most daily errands require a car, indicating a medium car dependency.
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.
Charnwood
#15Australian Capital Territory, Australia
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$71,300
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.09%
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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