CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Saginaw, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Saginaw
90.9
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Saginaw is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $72,100 in Saginaw. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing49.2%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Saginaw
63.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
93.7
Saginaw
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
104.5
Saginaw
104.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Ann Arbor
94.6
Saginaw
94.6
Utilities2.4%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Saginaw
95.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Saginaw to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Saginaw, MI
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Saginaw

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9009. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Saginaw, MI

Median Home Price
$160,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
63.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Ann Arbor has 49.2% lower housing costs compared to Saginaw.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Saginaw, MI

Median Household Income
$59,300
Per Capita Income
$33,800
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
44,909
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Saginaw, MI
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.