City Comparison
Tours vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bay City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tours
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tours is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tours's average rent is
29% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Tours | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $672 | $950 | -29% |
| Groceries | $526 | $380 | +38% |
| Utilities | $173 | $175 | -1% |
| Transport | $68 | $110 | -38% |
| Healthcare | $90 | $230 | -61% |
| Monthly Total | $1,529 | $1,845 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 46% 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 Tours is estimated at
$24,840 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Tours | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,122 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,840 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,174 idx | 61,176 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bay City runs warmer on average — a 48.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 258 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 | Tours | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | °F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Tours scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tours leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tours | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tours is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Bay City.
From a growth perspective, Tours 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 | Tours | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 140,873 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.38% | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 8.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tours
Advantages
Tours boasts a 'Very High' Health Care Index of 86.11, indicating excellent healthcare quality.
The city has a 'Very Low' Traffic Commute Time Index of 8.00, suggesting minimal traffic congestion and short commute times.
The cost of living in Tours is generally more affordable than in major French cities and significantly less than large US urban centers.
Tours enjoys a 'Very High' Climate Index of 90.35, offering a pleasant temperate climate.
The city has a well-developed public transportation system, including trams and buses, reducing car dependency.
Drawbacks
France's national unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in Q2 2026, which may impact the local job market.
The national business climate in France was described as 'gloomy' in June 2026, potentially affecting economic opportunities.
Specific recent data for some city-level economic metrics, such as median household income and job growth rate, are not readily available.
The average monthly net salary in Tours is around $2,343.50, which is lower than the national average for France.
While generally safe, the Safety Index of 58.76 indicates a moderate level of crime, suggesting some concerns.
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.
Tours
#32Centre-Val de Loire, France
53.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$672
Avg Salary
$28,122
Cost Index
70
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.38%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
78
Business
60
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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