City Comparison
Casas Grandes vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Casas Grandes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Casas Grandes
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Casas Grandes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Casas Grandes's average rent is
63% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $950 | -63% |
| Groceries | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Utilities | $65 | $175 | -63% |
| Transport | $50 | $110 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $230 | -57% |
| Monthly Total | $785 | $1,845 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 86% 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 Casas Grandes is estimated at
$6,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Casas Grandes runs warmer on average — a 15.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Casas Grandes comes out ahead with 73 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 35.40°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 11.70 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.80 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | 258 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Casas Grandes has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Bay City.
Bay City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Casas Grandes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Casas Grandes.
From a growth perspective, Casas Grandes is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Casas Grandes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Casas Grandes | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,587 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Casas Grandes
Advantages
Municipal population of approximately 11,500 offers a peaceful, low-stress small-town environment.
Proximity to the Paquimé archaeological zone provides rich cultural and historical value.
Exceptionally high count of sunny days (331 days annually) supporting outdoor lifestyles.
Significantly lower housing and cost of living expenses compared to major North American cities.
Strong community identity centered around traditional arts, agriculture, and local heritage.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of agriculture, tourism, and small-scale commerce.
Reliance on neighboring Nuevo Casas Grandes for advanced healthcare and specialized retail.
Low annual rainfall (11.7 inches) requires conscious water management and drought awareness.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership nearly essential.
Fewer high-speed broadband options in outlying rural areas outside the town center.
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.
Casas Grandes
#94Chihuahua, Mexico
75.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
60
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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