City Comparison
Parit Raja vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parit Raja scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parit Raja
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Parit Raja is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
73% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parit Raja's average rent is
82% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Parit Raja | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $172 | $950 | -82% |
| Groceries | $245 | $380 | -36% |
| Utilities | $49 | $175 | -72% |
| Transport | $25 | $110 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $12 | $230 | -95% |
| Monthly Total | $503 | $1,845 | -73% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 82% 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 Parit Raja is estimated at
$7,500 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Parit Raja | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,315 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,500 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,614 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $16,624 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parit Raja runs warmer on average — a 31.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 151 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parit Raja | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.70°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 72.80°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 94.30 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 107 | 258 |
| Humidity | 77.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bay City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Parit Raja.
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 | Parit Raja | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Parit Raja is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parit Raja has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Parit Raja | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 41.5 | |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parit Raja
Advantages
Highly affordable cost of living, with average rent for a 1-bedroom dwelling around USD 172 per month.
Benefits from Johor's strong economic growth, which was 6.4% in 2024, creating job opportunities.
Home to Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), fostering an educational and youthful environment.
Rich local culture and diverse food scene, offering a variety of traditional cuisines.
Strategic location with good road connectivity, including proximity to the North-South Expressway.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, leading to a medium car dependency for residents.
Lack of specific, recent city-level data for several key metrics such as population and median age.
Fewer high-end amenities and entertainment venues compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Healthcare facilities are primarily clinics, requiring travel to larger towns for comprehensive hospital care.
Potential for seasonal haze from Indonesian agricultural fires, which can affect air quality.
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.
Parit Raja
#3Johor, Malaysia
85.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$172
Avg Salary
$9,315
Cost Index
35
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
107/yr
Avg Temp
80.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
68
Business
75
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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