Schools
Every neighborhood is served by Clawson Public Schools, about five schools, with Clawson High (the city's only high school) rated 4/10 and Clawson Middle 6/10 on GreatSchools.
Oakland County, Michigan
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Buying a home in Clawson
Packed into roughly 2.2 square miles, Clawson earns its nickname "The Little City with a Big Heart", a walkable Oakland County community where Main Street meets 14 Mile Road in a downtown of independent shops, award-winning restaurants and a local distillery. Most of the housing stock dates to the 1940s through 1970s: tidy ranches, bungalows and small colonials on modest lots, anchored by landmarks like the Clawson Historical Museum, Blair Memorial Library and the historic Interurban Railway corridor. The city has no single dominant private employer; Clawson Public Schools and municipal government lead in-city jobs, while most of the ~11,300 residents commute to Troy's Corewell Health/Beaumont campus, Royal Oak or downtown Detroit. That mix of charm, schools and easy freeway access keeps demand high and inventory tight.
By the numbers
Clawson housing and mortgage snapshot
Values move. Treat these as orientation and let us pull current figures for the address you are considering.
$270,000
Typical home value, from the market research on this page
+51%
Typical rise in taxable value the year after a home sells, 2026 Uncapping Study
1.33%
Effective property tax rate, as a share of value
1
Residential ZIP codes
What financing looks like in Clawson
To buy a typical $320,000 Clawson home, plan on household income near $90,000-$100,000: with 20% down at current rates, principal, interest, taxes and insurance run about $2,050-$2,100 a month, comfortable for a household at Clawson's median income of $88,636. Property taxes run an effective ~1.33%, a median bill near $3,429, confirm exact figures through the City of Clawson Treasurer or Michigan's Property Tax Estimator. First-time buyers should explore MSHDA down payment assistance, which pairs well with this entry-level price band. Because most Clawson homes land well under the 2026 conforming loan limit, conventional and FHA financing, not jumbo, fit nearly every purchase here.
Nearly every Clawson purchase fits well under the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750, so loan size is rarely the constraint.
The market
The Clawson housing market
Clawson's median sale price sits near $320,000 (Redfin pegged it at $319,809 in May 2026), up about 4.9% year over year, though Zillow's broader typical-value index reads lower, around $270,000, because it blends every housing type. Homes move fast here: the median time on market is roughly 14-15 days, and Clawson rates as very competitive, with the best-priced listings going pending in about eight days and occasionally clearing above asking. The drivers are simple, limited acreage, a beloved walkable downtown, solid commuter access via I-75 and I-696, and a price point that still undercuts neighboring Birmingham and Royal Oak.
Where to look
Clawson neighborhoods
Osborne
(~$250,000-$350,000): One of Clawson's most competitive pockets (Redfin score ~86), averaging around $259K, up ~3.6% YoY, with homes selling in about 11 days.
Downtown Clawson / Clawson Mill
(~$280,000-$360,000): The walkable core near Main Street & 14 Mile, full of older bungalows and colonials steps from shops and the weekend market.
Bywood Avenue area (N & S Bywood)
(~$340,000-$360,000): Mid-century three- and four-bedroom homes; Redfin estimates around $356K.
Glendale Park Estates
(~$280,000-$380,000): An established residential subdivision with classic mid-century housing.
Oak Run
(~$285,000-$400,000): A popular Clawson-area neighborhood on the higher end of the local range.
Schools and commute
Commute
Downtown Detroit is roughly 17-19 miles south, a 25-35 minute drive via I-75 or Woodward Avenue, with I-696 just minutes away.
Michigan property taxes
Clawson property taxes after you buy
The year after a Michigan home sells, its taxable value resets to half of the assessor's market value, so the seller's tax bill is not your tax bill.
In the City of Clawson, our 2026 Uncapping Study found taxable value typically rises about 51% the year after a sale: roughly $2,470 more in first-year tax on a $300,000 home at the local homestead millage. We build your payment on that post-sale number.
In Samantha's words
I'd much rather somebody ask me, "Why are your taxes higher than what I'm seeing online?" than have them build a housing budget around the wrong assumption.
Local resources
Check Clawson records yourself
The official offices behind the tax and school details on this page.
- City of Clawson Property Assessments, for parcel records and current taxable value
- Clawson Public Schools, for district boundaries and enrollment
- Oakland County Treasurer, property taxes, for county property tax records
What our clients say
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As first time homebuyers we made sure to do our research before choosing a mortgage broker. We decided to go with Align Lending and could not have made a better choice. We worked with Samantha and she made the entire process smooth and easy. The customer service was top notch! The professional, yet caring approach was just what we were looking. We highly recommend Align Lending!
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The pre-approval process for my home search in Bloomfield Hills was fast and organized. Samantha answered all my questions and helped me feel confident moving forward.
Individual experiences. Results vary.
Clawson mortgage questions
If yours is not here, ask it on the call. There are no dumb questions.
What is the median home price in Clawson, MI 48017?
As of spring 2026 the median sale price in Clawson is about $320,000 (Redfin, $319,809 in May 2026), up roughly 4.9% year over year. Zillow’s broader typical-value index is lower at around $270,000 because it blends in all housing types. Most homes are 1940s-1970s ranches, bungalows and small colonials.
How fast do homes sell in Clawson?
Quickly. Clawson is rated a very competitive market, with homes spending a median of about 14-15 days on the market in mid-2026. The most desirable, well-priced listings can go pending in roughly 8 days and occasionally sell above asking.
What are property taxes like in Clawson?
The effective property tax rate is about 1.33% of value, with a median annual tax bill around $3,429 (Ownwell). That’s higher than the national median. Bills are set through Oakland County millage rates; 2025 rates are posted in August 2026, so use the City of Clawson Treasurer or the Michigan Property Tax Estimator for an exact figure on a specific home.
What income do I need to buy a typical Clawson home?
Roughly $90,000-$100,000 in household income. On a $320,000 home with 20% down at current rates, principal, interest, taxes and insurance run about $2,050-$2,100 a month, which fits a household earning around $90K under standard debt-to-income guidelines. A smaller down payment raises the income you’ll need. For comparison, Clawson’s median household income is about $88,636.
Which school district serves Clawson, MI?
The entire city is served by Clawson Public Schools, a small district of about five schools. Clawson High School (the only high school) carries a 4/10 GreatSchools rating and Clawson Middle School a 6/10, with most schools rated around average.
Communities near Clawson
Oakland County overviewTalk with a local mortgage expert
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Align Lending LLC, NMLS #2041154. Samantha Shelton, NMLS 1647301. Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Figures on this page are market research for orientation, not a quote. This page is for educational purposes only. It is not a credit decision, a preapproval, a commitment to lend, or an offer of credit.
