salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,000 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 25 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Saginaw?
Share of households by yearly income. 6.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Saginaw
| Size | Saginaw | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $797 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $688 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $959 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,167 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,458 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Saginaw overall?
Everyday prices in the Saginaw metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Saginaw
Life in Saginaw
What jobs pay in Saginaw
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $144,470 | 7.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,270 | 8.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,580 | 9.2% |
| Lawyer | $104,760 | 10.9% |
| Software Developer | $101,430 | 11.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $95,160 | 12.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $86,870 | 13.1% |
| Operations Manager | $81,950 | 13.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,190 | 14.0% |
| Plumber | $80,440 | 14.2% |
| Electrician | $79,860 | 14.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,400 | 14.4% |
| Accountant | $76,310 | 14.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,810 | 15.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,280 | 17.7% |
| Carpenter | $62,240 | 18.3% |
| Police Officer | $60,070 | 19.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,060 | 19.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,870 | 19.4% |
| Truck Driver | $50,200 | 22.7% |
| Firefighter | $44,550 | 25.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,330 | 27.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,430 | 28.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,400 | 28.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,590 | 30.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,150 | 31.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,000 | 31.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,210 | 36.5% |
| Cashier | $29,300 | 38.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Saginaw?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $534 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $60,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $6,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Saginaw, MI?
Renting in Saginaw costs a median of about $950 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Saginaw?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,000 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Saginaw cheap or expensive?
Saginaw is rated OK: rent takes 27.4% of the typical household income of $41,607. It ranks 25th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Saginaw?
The median homeowner in Saginaw pays $1,358 a year in property taxes, about 2.26% of the median home value.
Is Saginaw more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Saginaw?
The median home value in Saginaw is $60,000, about 1.4 times the typical yearly household income.
43,536 people live in Saginaw. Numbers are typical (middle) values.