City Comparison
Amiens 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
Amiens
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amiens is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amiens's average rent is
25% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Amiens | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $716 | $950 | -25% |
| Groceries | $511 | $380 | +34% |
| Utilities | $225 | $175 | +29% |
| Transport | $58 | $110 | -48% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $1,845 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 17% 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 Amiens is estimated at
$34,111 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Amiens | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,200 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $34,111 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,474 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $34,111 | $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 | Amiens | 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 | 85.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Amiens.
Amiens scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Amiens leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amiens | 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
Amiens is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Amiens is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Amiens has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amiens | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,331 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.26% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amiens
Advantages
Amiens offers a cost of living that is approximately 5% lower than the French national average.
The city has a strong cultural heritage, highlighted by Amiens Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in France.
Amiens provides good access to healthcare, with a healthcare quality index of 78.23 and a large university hospital.
The housing market is relatively affordable, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center around $716 USD.
Amiens has a diverse economy with stable job growth, including sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
Drawbacks
The safety index for Amiens is 57, indicating a moderate level of safety.
While improving, public transport scores are moderate at 55, suggesting potential for further development.
Amiens's median household income is lower than the national average for France.
The city experiences a moderate climate with cool winters and mild summers, which may not appeal to everyone.
While affordable, the average salary in Amiens is lower compared to major economic hubs.
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.
Amiens
#36Hauts-de-France, France
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$716
Avg Salary
$43,200
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.26%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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