In Shields, a typical home is worth $174,500 and typical rent is $941 a month. Compared with all of Saginaw County, typical household income is 35% higher, the typical home value is 14% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points higher.
Shields is in Saginaw County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Saginaw County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Saginaw, the typical home value is $60,000: 66% less than in Shields ($174,500).
2
The typical household income in Shields is $82,125,35% more than in Saginaw County as a whole ($60,622).
3
Nearby, in Bridgeport, the typical rent is $710: 25% less than in Shields ($941).
4
81% of households in Shields own their home, against 74% in Saginaw County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Shields
What homes there are in Shields, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Kind of home: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Detached house
70%
76%
72%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
5%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
12%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
4%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Shields, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Saginaw County, 8.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Year built: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Before 1960
20%
38%
36%
26%
1960–1979
44%
33%
26%
24%
1980–1999
18%
17%
22%
25%
2000–2009
15%
9%
10%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
4%
6%
11%
The typical home in Shields was built in 1975, 7 years after the typical one in Saginaw County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K17%
$100K–$200K41%
$200K–$300K24%
$300K–$500K14%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Under $100K
17%
$100K–$200K
41%
$200K–$300K
24%
$300K–$500K
14%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 96% of owner-occupied homes in Shields sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99958%
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
58%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,419 a month
Saginaw County: $1,277 a month
Without a mortgage
$626 a month
Saginaw County: $558 a month
Owners with a mortgage
55%
Saginaw County: 50%
Owning costs more in Shields: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,419 a month; in Saginaw County, $1,277. Without one, $626.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
ShieldsBoundaries changed
Saginaw County+51%
Michigan+50%
United States+53%
Typical rent
ShieldsBoundaries changed
Saginaw County+21%
Michigan+30%
United States+33%
Typical household income
ShieldsBoundaries changed
Saginaw County+26%
Michigan+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Typical home value
Boundaries changed
+51%
+50%
+53%
Typical rent
Boundaries changed
+21%
+30%
+33%
Typical household income
Boundaries changed
+26%
+28%
+29%
Shields does not have the same boundaries as in 2015–2019: that is why there is no change to compare. For reference, in Saginaw County the typical home value rose 51%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Shields and its comparisons
Measure
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
12.9%
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.2%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.29
2.34
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
82%
78%
74%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
2%
3%
Work from home
13%
10%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Shields look like those in Saginaw County: 2.29 people on average.
To get to work, 82% of workers in Shields drive alone; in Saginaw County, 78%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Shields?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Shields, worth $174,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 23% of the typical household income in Shields, which is $82,125 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Saginaw County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Shields. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,108 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,542
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$171,339
Total interest
$246,516
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,947 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,916 a month
Your payment · 23%
Tight
$1,916 to $2,464 a month
Hard
more than $2,464 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Shields ($82,125 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,161
Property tax
$231
Home insurance
$73
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$77
You need at least $6,108 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,542; principal and interest $1,161.
The city and its county
Shields and Saginaw County
Shields is in Saginaw County, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Shields
Map of Saginaw County, Michigan, with Shields marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Shields
Saginaw County
Other cities with a page
Shields's own numbers
Typical home value
$174,500
Typical monthly rent
$941
Typical yearly household income
$82,125
Households that own their home
81%
Effective property tax rate
1.59%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Saginaw County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,141
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Saginaw County.
A typical home in Shields is worth $174,500: 14% above the county and 25% below Michigan. With the typical household income in Shields ($82,125 a year), a typical home costs 2.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Shields2.1 years
Saginaw2.5 years
Michigan3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Saginaw County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Saginaw County rose 91% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Saginaw County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Saginaw County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.6% +3.6% 2016
2017: +3.1% +3.1% 2017
2018: +5.7% +5.7% 2018
2019: +6.8% +6.8% 2019
2020: +2.7% +2.7% 2020
2021: +12.4% +12.4% 2021
2022: +12.9% +12.9% 2022
2023: +8.5% +8.5% 2023
2024: +7.7% +7.7% 2024
2025: +3.8% +3.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Saginaw County, Michigan and the United States
Period
County
Michigan
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.8%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+52%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+91%
+97%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Shields next to Saginaw County, Michigan and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Shields$174,500
Saginaw$152,800
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Shields$941
Saginaw$947
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Shields$82,125
Saginaw$60,622
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734
See the full table
Shields next to Saginaw County and Michigan
Measure
Shields
Saginaw County
Michigan
U.S.
Typical home value
$174,500 ▲14% above the county
$152,800
$231,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$941
$947
$1,129
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$82,125 ▲35% above the county
$60,622
$72,875
$80,734
Households that own their home
81% ▲7 points above the county
74%
73%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,768 ▲21% above the county
$2,284
$2,904
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.59% ▲0.1 points above the county
1.49%
1.25%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▼5 points below the county
55%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Saginaw County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Shields
For a typical $174,500 home in Shields, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Shields's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,542a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,108
Cash to close
$11,343
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $77
Conventional, 5% down$1,510a month
Down payment
$8,725
Cash to close
$13,960
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $83
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,250a month
Down payment
$34,900
Cash to close
$40,135
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,411a month
Down payment
$26,175
Cash to close
$31,410
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Shields
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,542
$6,108
$171,339
7.18%
FHA MIP · $77
$11,343
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,510
$8,725
$165,775
7.18%
PMI · $83
$13,960
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,250
$34,900
$139,600
7.18%
None
$40,135
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,411
$26,175
$148,325
8.18%
None
$31,410
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Shields is $941 a month: about the same as the county. In Shields, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Saginaw County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,141 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.94 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Saginaw County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$795
$15.29
$31,800
1 bedroom
$893
$17.17
$35,720
2 bedrooms
$1,141
$21.94
$45,640
3 bedrooms
$1,466
$28.19
$58,640
4 bedrooms
$1,500
$28.85
$60,000
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Shields
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Shields is in ZIP code 48609.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,100: $41 less than the fair market rent for Saginaw County ($1,141).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Shields, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
48609
$770
$860
$1,100
$1,410
$1,450
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
48609 $1,100$1,410
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Shields when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Saginaw County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Shields or Saginaw County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Shields the same as in the rest of the state.
Michigan state agency loan of up to $10,000, with no interest and no monthly payments, for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses; it goes with MSHDA's MI Home Loan mortgage and is repaid in certain cases, such as when you pay off the first mortgage, sell or refinance the home, or no longer live in it.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Michigan state authority certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, for the life of the loan; you apply with an approved lender before you buy.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Shields or Saginaw County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Shields and all of Saginaw County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Shields?
The typical home value in Shields is $174,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Saginaw County it is $152,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Shields?
Typical rent in Shields is $941 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Saginaw County is $1,141.
What is the FHA loan limit in Shields?
Shields uses the FHA limit for all of Saginaw County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Shields?
The typical homeowner in Shields pays $2,768 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.59% of the home’s value; in Saginaw County, the rate is 1.49%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Shields?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Saginaw County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
