City Comparison
Rouen vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rouen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rouen
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rouen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rouen's average rent is
34% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Rouen | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $630 | $950 | -34% |
| Groceries | $497 | $380 | +31% |
| Utilities | $200 | $175 | +14% |
| Transport | $48 | $110 | -56% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $230 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,450 | $1,845 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 45% 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 Rouen is estimated at
$21,372 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Rouen | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,400 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $21,372 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,217 idx | 61,176 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rouen runs warmer on average — a 5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 18 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 | Rouen | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 258 |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Rouen | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | — | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 37.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rouen is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Rouen 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 | Rouen | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,553 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.09% | — |
| Median Age | 41.5 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rouen
Advantages
Rouen boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage, including the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
The city offers a comprehensive public transport network, with free services on Saturdays.
The cost of living in Rouen is generally lower than the national average in France.
Rouen has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous dining options and entertainment.
Property prices for both apartments and houses have shown consistent growth over the past five years.
Drawbacks
The median salary in Rouen is lower than the national average for France.
Specific safety scores for 2026 are not available, with crime indices showing a mixed situation.
Traffic congestion can be a concern, with an average level of 37.1% in 2025.
While public transport is good, specific walkability and transit scores for 2026 are not readily available.
Reliable, up-to-date data for some specific metrics like median age and detailed job growth rates for Rouen are limited.
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.
Rouen
#13Normandie, France
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$28,400
Cost Index
83
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.09%
Unemployment
7.54%
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rouen and Bay City.
Open Cost Calculator