City Comparison
Hamm vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamm scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamm
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Hamm.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamm's average rent is
16% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Hamm | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $950 | +16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,990 | $1,845 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 8% 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 Hamm is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Hamm | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,526 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamm | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 72.30°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 7.60 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Hamm.
Hamm scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamm leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamm | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamm is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Hamm is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hamm has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamm | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,871 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamm
Advantages
Median rental prices in Hamm are significantly lower than the broader Hamburg average per official municipal rent indexes.
Exceptional public transit connectivity allows commutes to downtown Hamburg in under 15 minutes via U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
Abundant green spaces, including Hammer Park and the Bille riverbanks, provide strong outdoor recreational opportunities.
A thriving multicultural culinary scene and local cultural hubs like Fabrik der Künste enrich the neighborhood character.
Extensive bicycle infrastructure and high walkability reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Drawbacks
Taxable household incomes and average earnings are noticeably lower than the broader Hamburg municipal average.
Higher population density and compact apartment layouts limit options for large families seeking spacious housing.
Certain pockets experience localized property crime and minor urban friction common to inner-city transit corridors.
The tight rental market makes securing desirable apartments highly competitive despite lower base prices.
The district lacks high-end luxury retail and upscale entertainment venues found in central Hamburg.
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.
Hamm
#71Hamburg, Germany
58.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
85.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.00%
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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