How much does it cost to rent in Elkhart, IN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Elkhart, IN is $1,174. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Elkhart cheaper than other Indiana cities?

Elkhart is among the more affordable cities in Indiana, ranking #46 out of 65 cities at $1,174/mo.

When was Elkhart rent data last updated?

Elkhart rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IN

Elkhart

Name: Average Rent Prices in Elkhart, IN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 53,733·46th most expensive in Indiana·Elkhart rents are up 9.6% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,174/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.6%

Month-over-Month

-4.7%

vs US Median

-$791

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Elkhart rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Elkhart · $1,174

More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

28% of income

AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,174/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$47,000/yr

Local median income

$51,028/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Elkhart's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$855

1 BR

$870

2 BR

$1,055

3 BR

$1,375

4 BR+

$1,400

Research median

$1,055/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$14,088/yr

At $1,174/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.6% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Elkhart, IN is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

53,733

Median income

$51,028

Median age

Renters

46.8%

Age distribution

26.3%

23.6%

24.4%

14.3%

Under 1826.3%

18–3423.6%

35–5424.4%

55–6411.4%

65+14.3%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

60.2%

12.5%

27%

White60.2%

Black12.5%

Hispanic27%

Asian0.5%

Education (25+)

18.7%

38.8%

24.8%

17.7%

No HS diploma18.7%

HS diploma38.8%

Some college24.8%

Bachelor's+17.7%

Housing tenure

53.2%

46.8%

Owner53.2%

Renter46.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Elkhart, IN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,042 → $1,174

up 12.7%

Income

$43,868 → $51,028

up 16.3%

Population

53,838 → 53,733

down 0.2%

Renter share

46.7% → 46.8%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

15.4% → 17.7%

+2.3 pts

Median age

34 → 35

+1.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Elkhart, IN paid around $1,042 a month. That figure now sits near $1,174, up 12.7% from the 2023 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Elkhart, IN now reports about $51,028, up from $43,868 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 15.4% to 17.7% across the same window. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Elkhart, IN reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Elkhart

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Elkhart rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Elkhart on your salary?

At $1,174/mo, how Elkhart rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 16.2% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 19.8% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 8.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 24.4% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 21.9% income

affordable

By apartment size

Elkhart rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Elkhart. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Elkhart

About renting in Elkhart, IN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Elkhart is $1,174/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $855/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,055/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,375/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($51,028/yr), Elkhart ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Elkhart an affordable city for renters?

Elkhart is considered affordable for renters. At $1,174/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($51,028/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Elkhart falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Elkhart?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,174/mo in Elkhart. The local median household income is $51,028/yr, meaning the typical Elkhart household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Elkhart?

Rent in Elkhart has increased 9.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Elkhart neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Elkhart are 46516 ($1,037/mo), and 46514 ($1,340/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Elkhart is $1,174/mo.

How does Elkhart rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Elkhart is one of the more affordable cities in Indiana for rent, ranking #46 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,174/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Elkhart?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Elkhart ($1,174/mo): Goshen ($1,029/mo), Niles ($1,094/mo).

What percentage of Elkhart residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.8% of Elkhart households are renters, while 53.2% are owner-occupied. Elkhart leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Elkhart rent compare to the national average?

Elkhart's median rent of $1,174/mo is $791 (40%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #46 out of 65 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,174/mo, rent takes ~28% of Elkhart's median household income ($51,028/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Elkhart 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.05%

Run the Elkhart affordability calculator →

Nearby cities