City Comparison
Barry vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Barry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Barry
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Barry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barry's average rent is
37% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Barry | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,300 | $950 | +37% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $175 | +20% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,000 | $1,845 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 15% 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 Barry is estimated at
$38,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Barry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,659 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 54 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Barry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 70.30°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 39.10°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 47.40 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 1.70 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 204 | 258 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Barry.
Barry scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Barry leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barry is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Barry is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Barry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Barry | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,498 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barry
Advantages
Median home prices in Barry remain notably more affordable than neighboring Cardiff per UK House Price Index data.
Direct and frequent rail links provide a commute of under 30 minutes to central Cardiff.
Immediate access to coastal amenities, beaches, and the expansive Porthkerry Country Park.
Proximity to Cardiff Airport offers convenient international travel options.
Thriving local community with active cultural events and prominent television heritage as the home of Gavin & Stacey.
Drawbacks
Local employment options can be limited, requiring many residents to commute to Cardiff for higher-paying professional roles.
Certain commercial areas and high streets experience parking congestion and retail turnover challenges.
Seasonal tourism traffic around Barry Island can lead to temporary congestion during peak summer months.
Public transport services outside of peak commuting hours can experience reduced frequency.
Council tax rates set by the Vale of Glamorgan Council contribute to overall household expenses.
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.
Barry
#15Wales, UK
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,300
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
204/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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