Schools
Most of 48340 falls within the School District of the City of Pontiac (about 11 schools and 3,400 students, including Pontiac High and Pontiac Middle); western fringes can border Waterford School District, so confirm boundaries by address.
Oakland County, Michigan
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Buying a home in Pontiac
Pontiac is the Oakland County seat, a city of about 62,100 people with a median household income near $44,300 (Census QuickFacts). The old General Motors town has rebuilt around new anchors: United Wholesale Mortgage's headquarters, which moved some 2,300 employees downtown in 2018, Williams International's jet-engine headquarters, Oakland County government, and hospitals including McLaren Oakland and Trinity Health Oakland. Downtown adds murals, lofts and live music at The Crofoot, and the 87-acre M1 Concourse motorsports campus sits on Woodward.
For buyers, Pontiac remains one of the more accessible ways into an Oakland County address, with historic homes minutes from I-75. Citywide, the median sale price sits near $146,000. North Pontiac's 48340 carries median values around $139,000 to $145,000, recent sales in 48342 have landed near $154,000, and the southwest side's 48341, which takes in the Seminole Hills Historic District, the Pontiac Country Club area and lakefront pockets, runs higher with a median listing around $189,000. Pace varies by ZIP: 48342 homes spent about 27 days on market in spring 2026, while 48340 has slowed to roughly 48 days, giving buyers there real room to negotiate.
By the numbers
Pontiac housing and mortgage snapshot
Values move. Treat these as orientation and let us pull current figures for the address you are considering.
$146,000
Typical home value, from the market research on this page
+87%
Typical rise in taxable value the year after a home sells, 2026 Uncapping Study
1.19%
Effective property tax rate, as a share of value
3
Residential ZIP codes: 48340, 48341, 48342
What financing looks like in Pontiac
At the ~$140K median, qualifying takes roughly $45,000 to $50,000 a year, about 5% down, a rate near 6.5-7%, and taxes and insurance produce a PITI around $1,100-$1,200/month at a 28% front-end ratio. That sits just above Pontiac's median income, so the median home is attainable for many local buyers. ZIP 48340 carries an effective property tax rate near 1.19%, the lowest of Pontiac's ZIPs (48342 runs closer to 1.46%); on a $140K home that is roughly $1,650-$1,700 yearly (PropertyTaxByState). First-time buyers should explore MSHDA down-payment assistance and FHA financing. At this price point, conforming loans cover everything, jumbo financing is irrelevant here.
Nearly every Pontiac purchase fits well under the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750, so loan size is rarely the constraint.
Sub-markets
Pontiac housing market by ZIP code
Pontiac spans 3 residential ZIP codes, and they are different sub-markets.
ZIP 48340, near $139,000
Homes in 48340 carry a median value around $139,000 to $145,000 as of early 2026, with active listings often near $135K (Redfin; Movoto). Year-over-year signals are mixed, Redfin recorded 48340 prices up about 6.9% in January 2026, while citywide Pontiac data softened roughly 4.6% by May, so treat the trend as essentially flat with cooling momentum. Days on market roughly doubled from about 24 a year earlier to near 48, handing buyers real negotiating room. Demand is driven by affordability relative to the rest of Oakland County, downtown employment growth at UWM, and steady investor interest in sub-$150K single-family stock. Named areas: Modeltown, The Knolls, North Pontiac / Galloway Lake area.
ZIP 48341, near $189,000
Listings in 48341 carry a median around $189,000 as of mid-2026 - the highest of Pontiac's three ZIP codes, since it folds in Seminole Hills, the Pontiac Country Club area, and lakefront pockets. Citywide, Pontiac's median sale price sits closer to $146,000. The standout story is appreciation: Zillow's Home Value Index jumped about 20.8% over the past year, with Redfin showing citywide sales up roughly 18-19% - far above Michigan's ~1.5% statewide pace. Inventory is tight (only about 33 homes sold citywide in the prior month), so well-priced listings often go in two to six weeks. Demand is fueled by downtown revitalization, nearby employers, and Pontiac's relative affordability. Named areas: Seminole Hills, Indian Village, Pontiac Country Club area.
ZIP 48342, near $150,000
Homes in 48342 carry a median list price near $150,000, with recent sales landing around $154,000, among the more accessible entry points anywhere in Oakland County (Redfin). The pace is brisk: properties spent roughly 27 days on market in spring 2026, down from 31 a year earlier, and The ZIP rates as very competitive. YoY price signals are mixed, Redfin shows the 48342 ZIP up sharply on a small sample while citywide Pontiac figures dipped slightly near $145,900, so treat the headline percentage cautiously. Demand is driven by UWM hiring, downtown revitalization, and the simple math of affordable historic homes minutes from I-75. Named areas: Downtown Pontiac / Loft District, M1 Concourse area.
Where to look
Pontiac neighborhoods
Seminole Hills
(~$175,000 to $375,000): Pontiac's crown jewel, a National Register historic district of roughly 500 Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman homes from the 1910s-1920s on winding streets between Orchard Lake Road, Huron, and Voorheis (straddles 48341/48342).
Indian Village
(~$120,000 to $220,000): Just north of Seminole Hills; tree-lined, dignified early-20th-century homes, strong neighbor pride, and walkable to downtown.
Modeltown
~$80,000 to $160,000 Affordable older housing stock popular with first-time buyers and investors.
The Knolls
~$120,000-$200,000. A quieter residential pocket with solid value.
North Pontiac / Galloway Lake area
~$100,000-$175,000. The core of ZIP 48340: mostly mid-century single-family homes, with some lakefront parcels running higher.
Pontiac Country Club area
(~$175,000-$300,000+): higher-end southwest pocket near the Bloomfield and Waterford borders, with some lakefront and larger lots.
Buena Vista Heights
(~$120,000-$180,000): an established subdivision of modest single-family homes.
Le Baron Farms
(~$130,000-$190,000): an established subdivision with steady resale activity.
Perry Park
(~$110,000-$170,000): an affordable older neighborhood popular with first-time buyers.
Downtown Pontiac / Loft District
(~$120,000-$250,000): Restored entertainment district with loft conversions, restaurants, and venues near the county complex.
M1 Concourse area
(new construction / car condos, varies widely): New development clustered around the 1.5-mile performance track on the south/east side.
Schools and commute
Commute
Downtown Detroit is about 26-31 miles and a 33-40 minute drive via I-75 or Woodward Avenue.
Michigan property taxes
Pontiac 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 Pontiac, our 2026 Uncapping Study found taxable value typically rises about 87% the year after a sale: roughly $2,680 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
In Michigan, don't just look at the current tax bill. Understand what could happen after ownership changes.
Local resources
Check Pontiac records yourself
The official offices behind the tax and school details on this page.
- City of Pontiac Property Tax Information, for parcel records and current taxable value
- School District of the City of Pontiac, for district boundaries and enrollment
- Oakland County Treasurer, property taxes, for county property tax records
What our clients say
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Individual experiences. Results vary.
Pontiac mortgage questions
If yours is not here, ask it on the call. There are no dumb questions.
What is the median home price in Pontiac, MI 48340?
Homes in ZIP 48340 have a median value of roughly $139,000-$145,000 as of 2026, with listings often around $135K. That makes north Pontiac one of the most affordable ways to buy into Oakland County, where most neighboring communities cost far more.
How much income do I need to buy a home in 48340?
Roughly $45,000-$50,000 per year qualifies you for the ~$140K median home, assuming about 5% down, current rates near 6.5-7%, and taxes/insurance, for a total payment around $1,100-$1,200/month. That’s close to Pontiac’s median household income of about $44,300, so the median home is within reach for many local buyers, especially with a low-down-payment loan.
How fast are homes selling in 48342?
Quickly. Homes in 48342 sold in about 27 days on average in spring 2026, down from 31 days a year earlier, and the market is rated very competitive. Buyers should be pre-approved and ready to move, since well-priced homes don’t sit long.
What are property taxes like in Pontiac 48340?
ZIP 48340 carries an effective property tax rate of about 1.19%, the lowest of Pontiac’s ZIP codes (48342 runs closer to 1.46%). On a $140,000 home that’s roughly $1,650-$1,700 per year. Michigan also caps how fast a primary residence’s taxable value can rise each year, which helps keep long-term costs predictable.
Which neighborhoods should I look at in Pontiac?
Seminole Hills is the crown jewel, a National Register historic district of ~500 Tudor and Craftsman homes, generally $180,000-$450,000+. Indian Village just north offers similar character a bit lower (~$150,000-$300,000). For affordability, Modeltown bungalows run roughly $80,000-$160,000, and the downtown loft district has condos in the $120,000-$250,000 range.
Which school district serves 48340?
Most of 48340 is served by the School District of the City of Pontiac, which has about 11 schools and 3,400 students, including Pontiac High and Pontiac Middle. State ratings run below average, so many buyers also weigh nearby districts or charter/school-of-choice options. Some western edges border Waterford School District, so confirm boundaries by address.
Is Pontiac a good place to buy if I work in Detroit or for a local employer like UWM?
Yes, downtown Detroit is about 26 miles (35-40 minutes by car, ~40 minutes via the Amtrak Wolverine), and major employers United Wholesale Mortgage and Amazon are right in town. With a median income near $44,000 but homes around $150,000, you’d typically want roughly $50,000-$55,000 in household income to comfortably qualify, and the affordable base plus active revitalization make it appealing for both owner-occupants and investors.
Is Pontiac a good place to invest in real estate?
Many investors look at Pontiac because of low entry prices (often under $150K), an active downtown revival anchored by United Wholesale Mortgage’s headquarters and Williams International, and attractions like M1 Concourse and The Crofoot. With days-on-market climbing to about 48 days in 2026, the market has cooled into more balanced territory, giving buyers more negotiating room than a year earlier.
Communities near Pontiac
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.
