How much does it cost to rent in Saginaw, MI?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Saginaw, MI is $1,137. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Saginaw cheaper than other Michigan cities?

Saginaw is among the more affordable cities in Michigan, ranking #87 out of 95 cities at $1,137/mo.

When was Saginaw rent data last updated?

Saginaw rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MI

Saginaw

Name: Average Rent Prices in Saginaw, MI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 43,536·87th most expensive in Michigan·Saginaw rents are up 17.5% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,137/mo

Year-over-Year

+17.5%

Month-over-Month

+3.1%

vs US Median

-$828

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Saginaw · $1,137

More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

28/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what Saginaw's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,137/mo

Expected by trend

$1,025/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Saginaw's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$740

1 BR

$820

2 BR

$1,075

3 BR

$1,395

4 BR+

$1,425

Research median

$1,075/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$13,644/yr

At $1,137/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 17.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+17.5% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Saginaw, MI is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 13.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,536

Median income

$38,579

Median age

35.5

Renters

40%

Age distribution

25.6%

23.7%

22.9%

13%

14.9%

Under 1825.6%

18–3423.7%

35–5422.9%

55–6413%

65+14.9%

Gender

47.7%

52.3%

Male47.7%

Female52.3%

Race & ethnicity

38.1%

45.1%

15.9%

White38.1%

Black45.1%

Hispanic15.9%

Other0.8%

Education (25+)

14.8%

36.1%

35.8%

13.3%

No HS diploma14.8%

HS diploma36.1%

Some college35.8%

Bachelor's+13.3%

Housing tenure

60%

40%

Owner60%

Renter40%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Saginaw, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$839 → $1,137

up 35.5%

Income

$32,241 → $38,579

up 19.7%

Population

44,796 → 43,536

down 2.8%

Renter share

43.6% → 40%

-3.6 pts

Bachelor's+

12.6% → 13.3%

+0.7 pts

Median age

36.1 → 35.5

-0.6 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Saginaw, MI has increased by $298 per month, settling near $1,137 after starting the period at $839. On the earnings side, the typical household in Saginaw, MI now reports about $38,579, up from $32,241 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 15.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 44,796 to 43,536 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.8% change. About 40% of households rent today, against 43.6% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Saginaw, MI reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Saginaw

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View Saginaw rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Saginaw on your salary?

At $1,137/mo, how Saginaw rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $90,701/yr · Rent = 15% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $64,397/yr · Rent = 21.2% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $74,179/yr · Rent = 18.4% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $132,586/yr · Rent = 10.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $169,411/yr · Rent = 8.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $60,298/yr · Rent = 22.6% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $54,442/yr · Rent = 25.1% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $67,104/yr · Rent = 20.3% income

affordable

By apartment size

Saginaw rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Saginaw. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Saginaw

About renting in Saginaw, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Saginaw is $1,137/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,075/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,395/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($38,579/yr), Saginaw ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Saginaw an affordable city for renters?

Saginaw is considered moderate for renters. At $1,137/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($38,579/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Saginaw slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Saginaw?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,137/mo in Saginaw. The local median household income is $38,579/yr, meaning the typical Saginaw household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Saginaw?

Rent in Saginaw has increased 17.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Saginaw neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Saginaw are 48602 ($990/mo), and 48603 ($1,147/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Saginaw is $1,137/mo.

How does Saginaw rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Saginaw is one of the more affordable cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #87 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,137/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Saginaw?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Saginaw ($1,137/mo): Bay City ($964/mo), Flint ($969/mo), Grand Blanc ($1,080/mo).

What percentage of Saginaw residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40% of Saginaw households are renters, while 60% are owner-occupied. Saginaw leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Saginaw rent compare to the national average?

Saginaw's median rent of $1,137/mo is $828 (42%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #87 out of 95 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

35%

MODERATE

At $1,137/mo, rent takes ~35% of Saginaw's median household income ($38,579/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Saginaw 35%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.25%

Run the Saginaw affordability calculator →

Nearby cities