City Comparison
Winton vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Winton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Winton
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bay City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Winton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Winton's average rent is
29% higher than Bay City's.
| Metric | Winton | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,223 | $950 | +29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $2,073 | $1,845 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 51% 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 Winton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Winton | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $25,425 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,781 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $41,132 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 80 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 22.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Winton | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 50.30°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 48.30°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 56.00 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 12.50 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 178 | 258 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Winton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 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 | Winton | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Winton.
From a growth perspective, Winton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Winton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Winton | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,578 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Winton
Advantages
Winton boasts a low crime rate, making it a safe environment for families and children.
The town offers a warmer, drier, and calmer climate compared to coastal areas of Southland, attracting new residents.
Housing values in Winton have shown steady growth, with an 8% rise in average residential property values as of November 2024.
The local economy is stable, underpinned by a strong and diversified agricultural sector including dairy, sheep, and sawmilling.
Winton provides good access to healthcare services, including a local medical practice, a birthing center, and regional hospital support.
Drawbacks
The median age in Winton is 43.3 years, which is higher than the national median, potentially indicating a less youthful demographic.
Public transportation options are limited, making car dependency high for residents.
While growing, the population size of Winton remains small, which may limit certain amenities and opportunities found in larger towns.
Specific, recent unemployment data for Winton is not readily available, making it difficult to assess current local job market fluidity.
The cost of rent has been steadily increasing, with median weekly rent reaching $500 NZD in August 2026.
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.
Winton
#35Southland, New Zealand
63.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,223
Avg Salary
$25,425
Cost Index
80
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
178/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
78
Business
65
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 Winton and Bay City.
Open Cost Calculator