City Comparison
Williston vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williston
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Williston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williston's average rent is
31% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Williston | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,249 | $950 | +31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,199 | $1,845 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 13% 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 Williston is estimated at
$43,956 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Williston | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,046 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,956 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,417 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $79,381 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bay City runs warmer on average — a 5.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Williston comes out ahead with 30 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 11.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williston | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.50°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 2.10°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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, Bay City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Williston | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Williston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Williston | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,401 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Williston
Advantages
The unemployment rate in Williston is significantly lower than the national average, standing at 2.50% in August 2026.
Williston offers a relatively short average commute time of 17.6 minutes, less than the national average.
The city provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities, including access to the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea for water sports, fishing, and hunting.
The average rent in Williston is 34% lower than the national average, making it a more affordable place to live for renters.
Williston has a strong sense of community and friendly residents, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Williston is 29.9% higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate 21.8% higher.
Public transportation options are limited, making the city highly car-dependent.
Some residents express concerns about safety, particularly regarding walking alone at night.
While growing, the city is noted by some as lacking in diverse attractions and shopping compared to larger cities.
The population has shown a recent annual decline of -0.41%, suggesting a potential slowdown in growth.
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.
Williston
#293North Dakota, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,249
Avg Salary
$45,046
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
288/yr
Avg Temp
43.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
70
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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