City Comparison
Estevan vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Estevan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Estevan
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Estevan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Bay City.
| Metric | Estevan | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $950 | -5% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $230 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,800 | $1,845 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Estevan offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Estevan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Estevan is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Estevan | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $94,000 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bay City runs warmer on average — a 8.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Estevan comes out ahead with 29 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 10 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Estevan | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 74.30°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 24.60 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Estevan 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, Estevan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Estevan | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Estevan.
From a growth perspective, Estevan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Estevan | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,851 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Estevan
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Estevan are roughly 18% lower than the national average per regional housing data.
The city records some of the highest annual hours of sunshine in Canada, offering an exceptionally bright climate.
Average monthly rental costs are substantially below national and provincial urban equivalents.
Strong local focus on discretionary income ranks the community favorably for household liquid assets within Saskatchewan.
Short local commute times and minimal traffic congestion provide a stress-free daily driving environment.
Drawbacks
Local employment and municipal economic cycles remain closely tied to volatility in global oil, gas, and coal markets.
Winters are long, harsh, and subject to deep sub-zero temperatures typical of the Canadian prairies.
Public mass transit options are extremely limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling over 100 miles to larger urban hospitals in Regina.
Transition policies surrounding traditional coal power generation introduce long-term labor market uncertainties.
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.
Estevan
#25Saskatchewan, Canada
67.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
75
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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