City Comparison
Keene vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keene
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Keene.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keene's average rent is
63% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Keene | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $950 | +63% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $200 | $175 | +14% |
| Transport | $50 | $110 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $95 | $230 | -59% |
| Monthly Total | $2,295 | $1,845 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Keene offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Keene delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Keene is estimated at
$65,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Keene | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,960 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,067 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $78,445 | $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 | Keene | 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Keene.
Bay City 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 | Keene | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Keene.
From a growth perspective, Keene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Keene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Keene | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,036 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.07% | — |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Keene
Advantages
Strong community feel and access to nature, including proximity to Mount Monadnock.
Lower cost of living compared to the national average and major New England cities.
Low violent crime rates, contributing to a high sense of safety and security.
Well-preserved historic downtown with a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Access to higher education institutions like Keene State College and Antioch University New England.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is moderate to high, with limited public transportation options.
Job market growth may be moderate compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall.
Median household income is below the national average.
Some residents note challenges with property crime and addiction issues.
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.
Keene
#279New Hampshire, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$63,960
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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