2025 Compare Cities Overview:
West Branch, MI vs Bay City, MI

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Highlights
Are people in Bay City older or younger than people in West Branch?
- The Median Age in Bay City is 7.5 years younger than in West Branch.

Are housing costs cheaper in Bay City or West Branch?
- Bay City housing costs are 41.2% less expensive than West Branch housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Bay City or West Branch?
- The average commute for residents of Bay City is 3.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of West Branch.

Things to do in West Branch?
Living in West Branch, MI is both charming and peaceful. With a population of just under 3,000 people, it is a small rural town that cherishes its heritage and community activities. From the local weekly farmers market to the summer festivals, West Branch is filled with plenty of activities to enjoy. Families can take part in outdoor recreation at nearby parks or spend an afternoon at the local ice cream shop for a treat. The city also has several restaurants and shops that give you a glimpse into its history and culture. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone in West Branch!

Things to do in Bay City?
Bay City MI rests near Saginaw Valley known mostly for its historic riverfront district packed with shops & restaurants alongside several Victorian style houses giving visitors an authentic glimpse into Michigan’s past.

 West Branch, MIBay City, MIUnited States
 Population  Unlock32,824329,725,481
 Median Income$32,172  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3938.4
 Avg. Home Price$157,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.78  Unlock26.38
Reviews for West Branch    1 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

pros: affordable cost of living, close to Michigan's lakes and forests cons: no jobs, small town atmosphere, sequestered location, bad winters, I lived in West  More

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Reviews for Bay City    7 Reviews

Bay City offers low prices for homes due to lower population (Current lower demand). Years ago, the population was more than 3x as big due to big lumber industry, etc.  More

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But everything else is going to  More

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There are many pros to Bay City, it is incredibly cheap to live in and most everything is very affordable. The problem is that the economy is terrible and there aren't  More

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