Median rent is 46% lower in Bay City ($739/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bay City, where the median home runs $89,900 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $47,904 a year).
City A
Bay City, MI
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Bay City, MI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bay City
Michigan
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Bay City — median rent of $739/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 46% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $89,900 in Bay City — 71% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Bay City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 6.25% in Illinois; Bay City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bay City
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Bay City.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Bay City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($739/mo median).
Pick Bay City if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Bay City cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bay City vs Chicago?
Median rent is $739/mo in Bay City, MI and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Bay City, MI has the lower rent by about 46%.
Which has higher salaries — Bay City or Chicago?
Median household income is $47,904 in Bay City, MI and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bay City or Chicago?
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Bay City, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Bay City income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology