City Comparison
Dundee vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dundee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dundee
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dundee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Bay City.
| Metric | Dundee | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $190 | $175 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $230 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $1,845 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 19% 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 Dundee is estimated at
$35,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Dundee | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,220 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $38,500 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 28 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 29.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dundee | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.80°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 65.80°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 33.40 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 230 | 258 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Dundee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dundee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dundee | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dundee is the larger city
— approximately 4.6x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Dundee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dundee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dundee | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,700 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dundee
Advantages
Significantly lower average home purchase and rental costs compared to Edinburgh and Glasgow per Zoopla 2025 data
World-class cultural anchor with the V&A Dundee and a globally recognized digital games development hub
Home to Ninewells Hospital and two major universities driving strong public sector and research employment
High walkability and compact city layout reducing daily commuting times and transport expenses
Scenic coastal location on the Firth of Tay with easy access to rural Angus and the Scottish Highlands
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind major UK metropolitan hubs like London and Edinburgh per ONS data
Higher than average rainfall and cooler winter temperatures characteristic of eastern Scotland
Certain inner-city pockets experience localized deprivation and economic challenges
Limited direct international flight connections from Dundee Airport require travel to Edinburgh
Public transport reliance can present challenges for late-night travel outside core routes
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.
Dundee
#11Scotland, UK
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
230/yr
Avg Temp
48.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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