Living in Bay City, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bay City · Census data 2020–2024
Bay City has 32,320 residents with a median age of 40.7. The median household income is $49,420 (32% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $97,600, the median rent is $766/month.
Bay City at a glance
- Population
- 32,320
- Median age
- 40.7State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $49,420State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $97,600State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $766/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 70.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.8%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Bay City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bay City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bay City the median home value is $97,600, 71% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $766 per month, which is 29.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,069 a month in housing costs.
Bay City median household income
The median household income in Bay City is $49,420 and the income per person is $29,853. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Bay City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,078
- Owner-occupied
- 70.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.9%
- Vacant
- 8.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1941
- Average household size
- 2.18
Bay City demographics
- Population
- 32,320
- Median age
- 40.7
- Under 18
- 20.2%
- 65 and older
- 17.7%
- Households
- 14,677
- Foreign-born
- 2.3%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bay City ›
Education in Bay City
18.8% of adults 25 and older in Bay City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 6.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bay City
- Unemployment rate
- 6.7%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 79%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 3%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.6%
Bay City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | 32,320 | $49,420 | $97,600 | $766 |
| Essexville | 3,327 | $75,341 | $128,500 | — |
| Zilwaukee | 1,609 | $57,756 | $95,300 | $1,195 |
| Robin Glen-Indiantown | 660 | $32,292 | — | $1,213 |
| Auburn | 2,124 | $71,653 | $168,000 | $1,069 |
| Buena Vista | 5,798 | $41,999 | $62,000 | $906 |
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | $60,000 | $922 |
| Freeland | 7,557 | $110,547 | $265,900 | $1,245 |
| Reese | 1,274 | $82,361 | $174,700 | $879 |
More for people moving to Bay City
Bay City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bay City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bay City, MI?
The median household income in Bay City is $49,420, 32% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bay City?
The median home value in Bay City is $97,600, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Bay City?
The median gross rent in Bay City is $766 per month, about 29.1% of household income.
Is Bay City, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.7%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
What is the median age in Bay City?
The median age in Bay City is 40.7 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Bay City?
The average commute to work in Bay City is 21 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bay City?
The unemployment rate in Bay City is 6.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bay City?
18.8% of adults in Bay City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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