City Comparison
Pawtucket vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bay City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pawtucket
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 Pawtucket.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pawtucket's average rent is
88% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,788 | $950 | +88% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,708 | $1,845 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pawtucket offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pawtucket delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pawtucket is estimated at
$55,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,498 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,998 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $68,310 | $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 | Pawtucket | 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
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Pawtucket.
Pawtucket scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pawtucket leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 71.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pawtucket is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pawtucket has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,893 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pawtucket
Advantages
Pawtucket is the third most walkable city in Rhode Island, with a Walk Score of 71, making it easy to run errands on foot.
The median household income in Pawtucket was $68,310 in 2024, which is competitive within the region.
Pawtucket's cost of living is generally more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.
The city has a rich industrial history and is home to the Slater Mill Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Pawtucket has a growing arts scene and is actively involved in community development programs.
Drawbacks
Pawtucket has a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 307.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Pawtucket was 3.9% as of June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 4.1% in 2024.
Pawtucket's walkability score of 41 indicates a significant car dependency, despite its overall walkability ranking in the state.
While improving, the crime trajectory in Pawtucket is noted as 'improving' based on 5 years of data, suggesting past higher rates.
Pawtucket has a higher poverty rate (13.3%) than the national average (12.5%).
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.
Pawtucket
#425Rhode Island, USA
56.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,788
Avg Salary
$66,498
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
71.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
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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