Living in Saginaw, Michigan

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

Saginaw has 43,536 residents with a median age of 35.5. The median household income is $38,579 (47% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $60,000, the median rent is $922/month.

Saginaw at a glance

Population
43,536
Median age
35.5State: 40.2
Median household income
$38,579State: $72,875
Median home value
$60,000State: $231,600
Median rent
$922/moState: $1,129
Homeowners
60%
Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
Average commute
19 min

Is Saginaw a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 74% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 47% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 10.1%; a poverty rate of 34%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Saginaw

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Saginaw the median home value is $60,000, 82% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $922 per month, which is 39.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $973 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Saginaw$60,000
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Saginaw$922
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413

Saginaw median household income

The median household income in Saginaw is $38,579 and the income per person is $21,177. 34% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).

Median household income

Saginaw$38,579
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734

Housing in Saginaw: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
21,063
Owner-occupied
60%
Renter-occupied
40%
Vacant
15.5%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1949
Average household size
2.38

Saginaw demographics

Population
43,536
Median age
35.5
Under 18
25.6%
65 and older
14.9%
Households
17,789
Foreign-born
1.4%
Veterans
6.3%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White38.1%
Hispanic or Latino15.9%
Black45.1%
Asian0.2%

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

Education in Saginaw

13.3% of adults 25 and older in Saginaw have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 3.9% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Saginaw13.3%
Michigan32.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Saginaw

Unemployment rate
10.1%State: 5.7%
Average commute
19 minState: 24 min
Work from home
7.7%
Drive alone
73.4%
Public transit
0.7%
Walk to work
2.4%
Homes with broadband
85.3%

Saginaw vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Saginaw43,536$38,579$60,000$922
Buena Vista5,798$41,999$62,000$906
Zilwaukee1,609$57,756$95,300$1,195
Bridgeport6,884$51,071$98,800$710
Shields7,402$82,125$174,500$941
Robin Glen-Indiantown660$32,292—$1,213
Freeland7,557$110,547$265,900$1,245
Frankenmuth5,157$85,433$300,500$851
Bay City32,320$49,420$97,600$766

More for people moving to Saginaw

Saginaw ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Saginaw: FAQ

What is the median household income in Saginaw, MI?

The median household income in Saginaw is $38,579, 47% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Saginaw?

The median home value in Saginaw is $60,000, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.

How much is rent in Saginaw?

The median gross rent in Saginaw is $922 per month, about 39.4% of household income.

Is Saginaw, MI a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 74% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 47% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 10.1%; a poverty rate of 34%.

What is the median age in Saginaw?

The median age in Saginaw is 35.5 years (Michigan: 40.2).

How long is the commute in Saginaw?

The average commute to work in Saginaw is 19 minutes; 7.7% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Saginaw?

The unemployment rate in Saginaw is 10.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Saginaw?

13.3% of adults in Saginaw 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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