Bay City, MI vs Normal, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bay City
79.9
#99 nationally
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Normal leads in crime level (9.0 vs 15.5). Normal leads in median household income ($63,965 vs $45,026). Bay City leads in walk score (54 vs 40).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bay City, MI | Normal, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.9 (#99) | 76.8 (#316) |
| Population | 32,082 | 52,618 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $126,569 | $269,069 |
| Median Household Income | $45,026 | $63,965 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 17.2 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 15.5 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 82 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+14.7 | D+4.9 |
C+
79.9 Score
Bay City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$126,569
Population
32,082
Crime
High
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View Bay City, MI →
C
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →