Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Located in the state of Michigan, Bay City is a medium-sized city with a population of 32,892 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,236 people per square mile, Bay City is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Bay City residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Bay City is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 46%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Bay City. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bay City could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Michigan if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bay City, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, health & safety, employment, housing and more.
With a livability score of 67/100, Bay City is ranked #8,580 in the United States and #354 in Michigan. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Bay City ranks well for housing (B) On a less positive note, Bay City does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (D), crime (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Bay City apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Bay City is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Bay City come in at $68,000, which is 46.8% lower than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bay City, the home price to income ratio is 1.8, which is 28% lower than the Michigan average.
| Statistic | Bay City | Michigan | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.5% | 82.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.9% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 1.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.6% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
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