Living in Bay City, Texas

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bay City · Census data 2020–2024

Bay City has 17,730 residents with a median age of 31.6. The median household income is $53,840 (31% lower than the Texas median), the median home value is $160,800, the median rent is $1,025/month.

Bay City at a glance

Population
17,730
Median age
31.6State: 35.6
Median household income
$53,840State: $78,476
Median home value
$160,800State: $283,800
Median rent
$1,025/moState: $1,403
Homeowners
45.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
20.2%
Average commute
21 min

Is Bay City a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 43% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the Texas median; unemployment of 13.3%; a poverty rate of 26%.

The weather is best in March–April and October–November.

Cost of living in Bay City

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bay City the median home value is $160,800, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,025 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,609 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Bay City$160,800
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Bay City$1,025
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413

Bay City median household income

The median household income in Bay City is $53,840 and the income per person is $28,635. 26% of residents live below the poverty line (Texas: 13.8%).

Median household income

Bay City$53,840
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734

Housing in Bay City: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
8,200
Owner-occupied
45.8%
Renter-occupied
54.2%
Vacant
10.5%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1979
Average household size
2.37

Bay City demographics

Population
17,730
Median age
31.6
Under 18
29.2%
65 and older
11.1%
Households
7,342
Foreign-born
16.6%
Veterans
6.1%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White41.3%
Hispanic or Latino56.9%
Black14.2%
Asian1.7%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bay City ›

Education in Bay City

20.2% of adults 25 and older in Bay City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Texas: 33.8%), and 7.2% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Bay City20.2%
Texas33.8%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Bay City

Unemployment rate
13.3%State: 5.3%
Average commute
21 minState: 27 min
Work from home
4.8%
Drive alone
73.9%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
1.3%
Homes with broadband
88.8%

Bay City vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Bay City17,730$53,840$160,800$1,025
Van Vleck1,763$58,504$208,300$1,005
Markham873$68,536$137,600—
Wadsworth366$31,847——
Sweeny3,591$73,457$199,100$1,203
Blessing418$51,313$138,100—
Boling374$84,545$169,900$820
Matagorda182$14,145$380,000—
Wild Peach Village2,502$67,250$184,400—

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, TX?

The median household income in Bay City is $53,840, 31% lower than the Texas median of $78,476 (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 $160,800, compared with $283,800 in Texas.

How much is rent in Bay City?

The median gross rent in Bay City is $1,025 per month, about 29.3% of household income.

Is Bay City, TX a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 43% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the Texas median; unemployment of 13.3%; a poverty rate of 26%.

What is the median age in Bay City?

The median age in Bay City is 31.6 years (Texas: 35.6).

How long is the commute in Bay City?

The average commute to work in Bay City is 21 minutes; 4.8% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Bay City?

The unemployment rate in Bay City is 13.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Bay City?

20.2% 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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