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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Bay City, MI โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Detroit, MI area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 15.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,149
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$13.8K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bay City, MI

Population:32K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$128K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:115
Median Home:$558K

Bay City, MI

The Great Lakes State

32K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 32K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bay City, MI vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 82.3%
Bay City, MI
$1,583
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,302
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 19.5%
Bay City, MI
$1,594
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$310
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 2.5%
Bay City, MI
$1,699
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$41.90
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 3.6%
Bay City, MI
$568
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$20.58
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 3.7%
Bay City, MI
$562
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$20.55
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 0.3%
Bay City, MI
$956
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$2.91
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$771
To$1,585
โ†‘ $814
1 Bed
From$782
To$1,685
โ†‘ $903
2 Bed
From$985
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,010
3 Bed
From$1,340
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,185
Bay City, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $770โ€“$770/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,962
Monthly in Bay City, MI
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,036
Difference

Home Values

Bay City
Austin
$128K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +6.9%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +46.3%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$128K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 335% more expensive than Bay City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $6.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$531
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.2%
Rate difference

Bay City, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Bay City, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Bay City
Austin
55 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
32.8%
Good Air Days
42.6%
99 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
10 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
10 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Michigan and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Austin, TX

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