City Comparison
Chartres 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
Chartres
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chartres is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chartres's average rent is
16% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Chartres | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $795 | $950 | -16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $49 | $110 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $1,559 | $1,845 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 6% 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 Chartres is estimated at
$3,054 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Chartres | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,986 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,054 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,564 idx | 61,176 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 32.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chartres | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 77.30°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 26.50 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Chartres has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 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, Bay City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chartres | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 8.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chartres is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Chartres is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bay City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chartres | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,141 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 41.5 | |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chartres
Advantages
Chartres's housing market has seen an increase in house prices in 2024, indicating a stable or growing property value.
The city offers excellent walkability, with a score of 8/10, making it easy to explore the historic center and key landmarks on foot.
Chartres is well-connected to Paris by train, with a journey time of approximately one hour, offering convenient access to the capital.
The cost of living in Chartres is moderate, with housing and daily expenses generally being more affordable than in major French cities like Paris.
The city boasts a well-preserved historical center and is famous for its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting significant tourism and cultural interest.
Drawbacks
Public transit within Chartres has a low score of 4/10, suggesting limited options for public transportation within the city.
While property prices have increased, the cost of housing in Chartres can still be considered 'not the most interesting' compared to some other areas, though bargains can be found.
Crime perception in Chartres, while moderate, includes concerns about property crimes and violent crimes, with scores around 45.83 and 33.33 respectively.
The remote work scene in Chartres is not explicitly detailed, and a general trend towards return-to-office mandates in some industries might impact remote work opportunities.
Chartres experienced a slight population decrease of -0.16% in the past year, indicating a minor negative population growth trend.
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.
Chartres
#31Centre-Val de Loire, France
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$795
Avg Salary
$48,986
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
4.0/100
Walkability
8.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.30%
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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