Saginaw 63 Average
Saginaw Livability #521 ranked city in Michigan#15,424 ranked city in the USARanks better than 47% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Saginaw

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Saginaw?

Located in the state of Michigan, Saginaw is a moderately-sized city with a population of 50,125 inhabitants. Saginaw is mostly populated by White (44%) and Black or African American (44%) ethnic groups. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Saginaw, only 37% of the population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Saginaw offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Saginaw can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Michigan, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Saginaw and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 62/100, Saginaw is ranked #15,411 in the United States and #526 in Michigan. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Saginaw has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Saginaw. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Managing monthly expenses, from grocery bills to never-ending utility costs, can swiftly accumulate. Fortunately, we're delighted to share that the cost of living in Saginaw is 20.49% lower than the national average. This translates to a tangible reduction in those persistent monthly expenditures, making Saginaw a city where you can anticipate lower costs across the board when compared to many other urban areas. This financial advantage not only eases the burden of day-to-day living but also allows for a more budget-friendly lifestyle, ensuring that your hard-earned money goes further and providing an appealing incentive for those seeking to improve their financial well-being in a world where expenses continue to rise.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Saginaw apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Saginaw meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Saginaw. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Saginaw are simply unattainable. The median home price for Saginaw homes is $74,458, which is 68.4% lower than the Michigan average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Saginaw, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.6, which is 50% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Saginaw

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Saginaw?

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Compare Saginaw, MI Livability

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      Saginaw transportation information

      Statistic Saginaw Michigan National
      Average one way commute18min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.8%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.1%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home3.9%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Saginaw, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.