City Comparison
Derry vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Derry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derry's average rent is
149% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Derry | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $950 | +149% |
| Groceries | $339 | $380 | -11% |
| Utilities | $0 | $175 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $110 | +82% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $1,845 | +57% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derry offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Derry delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Derry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $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 | Derry | 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 | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Derry.
Derry scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bay City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 28.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Derry is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Derry is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Derry
Advantages
Low crime rate, with overall crime 49% below the national average and violent crime 57% lower [14].
Strategic location offering convenient access to Boston and Manchester, with major highways nearby [28, 44].
No state income tax, contributing to potential savings for residents [30].
Rich historical heritage, including being the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard and home to poet Robert Frost [4, 31, 32, 38].
Access to natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and trails [30].
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options [7, 28].
Cost of living is 12% higher than the national average, driven by housing costs [16].
Housing prices are above the national average, with a median sold price of $450,000 as of August 2026 [17].
Experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall [30].
Recent employment data shows a slight decline, though the unemployment rate remains low [3].
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.
Derry
#144New Hampshire, USA
65.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,366
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
28.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
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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