City Comparison
New Plymouth vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Plymouth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Plymouth
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Plymouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Plymouth's average rent is
39% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $950 | -39% |
| Groceries | $0 | $380 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $175 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $110 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $580 | $1,845 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $42,000 |
| Household Income | $39,200 | $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 | New Plymouth | 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 | 83.30% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to New Plymouth.
New Plymouth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Plymouth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 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
New Plymouth is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, New Plymouth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,100 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.41% | — |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Plymouth
Advantages
Recognized for its beauty and liveability, winning awards for being New Zealand's most beautiful small city and most liveable city in its population category.
Offers a balanced lifestyle with a mix of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation, including coastal landscapes and Mount Taranaki.
Strong emphasis on walking and cycling infrastructure, making it a model community for active transport.
Robust economy driven by diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major New Zealand cities.
Drawbacks
Winters are wet and cold, and the city is described as windy and partly cloudy year-round.
While generally safe, like any city, crime can be a concern in certain areas.
The median age is slightly above the national average, suggesting an aging population.
Reliance on specific industries like dairy and oil/gas can make the economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Public transport options may be less developed compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
New Plymouth
#9New Plymouth, New Zealand
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.41%
Unemployment
5.08%
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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