Bay County, Michigan home prices
Typical home $186,141 · +6.5% in a year · property tax 1.49%
The typical home in Bay County is worth $186,141, 29% less than the Michigan typical home ($263,760). Values changed +6.5% in the past year and +36.6% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 1.49% of their home's value in property tax each year ($2,777 on the typical home), versus 1.17% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical Bay County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $37,228 | $148,913 | $1,002 | $0 | $325 | $1,326 | $56,800 |
| 10% down | $18,614 | $167,527 | $1,127 | $70 | $325 | $1,521 | $65,200 |
| 5% down | $9,307 | $176,834 | $1,190 | $74 | $325 | $1,588 | $68,000 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $6,515 | $182,769 | $1,229 | $82 | $325 | $1,636 | $70,100 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.49% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
What it takes: see what you can afford by salary in Michigan · part of the Bay City metro area.
Michigan counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscola County | $185,735 | +5.6% | 1.21% |
| Gladwin County | $187,465 | +10.7% | 1.15% |
| Menominee County | $184,675 | +5.3% | 1.01% |
| Calhoun County | $190,006 | +3.2% | 1.45% |
| Ogemaw County | $180,468 | +6.0% | 0.95% |
| Dickinson County | $180,433 | +4.4% | 1.27% |
| Roscommon County | $191,859 | +0.3% | 1.01% |
| Gratiot County | $180,252 | +6.2% | 1.24% |
| Crawford County | $179,733 | +3.1% | 1.06% |
| Alpena County | $193,096 | +8.5% | 1.06% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Bay County, MI?
The typical home value in Bay County is $186,141 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Bay County?
About $56,800 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in Bay County?
The median effective rate is 1.49% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).