City Comparison
Levis vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Levis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Levis
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Levis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Levis's average rent is
11% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Levis | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $950 | +11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $1,845 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Levis offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Levis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Levis is estimated at
$52,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Levis | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bay City runs warmer on average — a 7.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 48 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Levis sees 48.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Levis | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 40.90°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 74.90°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 3.30°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 51.80 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 83.00 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 210 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Levis.
Levis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Levis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Levis | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Levis is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Levis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Levis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Levis | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Levis
Advantages
Headquarters of Desjardins Group provides a stable, high-paying corporate and financial job market per StatCan data.
Consistently lower crime rates and higher safety scores compared to the national average per Statistics Canada.
Home prices and average rents are notably more affordable than in neighboring Quebec City per 2025 real estate reports.
Extensive network of parks, green spaces, and the Parcours des Chutes bike paths enhance daily outdoor recreation.
Direct and scenic ferry access to downtown Quebec City simplifies commuting and cultural outings.
Drawbacks
Winters are harsh and demanding, featuring substantial snowfall averaging 83 inches per year.
Public transit coverage outside of major dense corridors is limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Bilingualism rates are lower than in Montreal, which can present a minor barrier for unilingual English speakers.
Bridge traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours heading toward Quebec City can be frustrating.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
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.
Levis
#17Quebec, Canada
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
210/yr
Avg Temp
40.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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