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City Report · IN

Portage

Pop. 38,082·29th most expensive in Indiana·Portage rents are up 7.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,512/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.6%
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
-$453
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Portage · $1,512
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
49/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Portage's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,512/mo
Expected by trend
$1,506/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Portage's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$1,000
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,600
Research median
$1,210/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,144/yr
At $1,512/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.6% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Portage, IN is majority owner-occupied, 18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,082
Median income
$76,276
Median age
39.8
Renters
27.1%
Age distribution
20.8%
22.8%
26.3%
14%
16%
Under 1820.8%
18–3422.8%
35–5426.3%
55–6414%
65+16%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
73.1%
21.3%
White73.1%
Black10%
Hispanic21.3%
Asian1.2%
Education (25+)
37.3%
34.8%
18.4%
No HS diploma9.5%
HS diploma37.3%
Some college34.8%
Bachelor's+18.4%
Housing tenure
72.9%
27.1%
Owner72.9%
Renter27.1%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Portage, IN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,203 → $1,512
up 25.7%
Income
$63,550 → $76,276
up 20.0%
Population
37,540 → 38,082
up 1.4%
Renter share
30.4% → 27.1%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
15.7% → 18.4%
+2.7 pts
Median age
37.1 → 39.8
+2.7 yrs

Rent in Portage, IN has climbed 25.7% since 2022, going from about $1,203 per month to roughly $1,512 today. Census figures show median household income at $76,276 today, compared with $63,550 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 5.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 37,540 to 38,082 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. About 27.1% of households rent today, against 30.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 15.7% to 18.4%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Portage

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View Portage rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Portage on your salary?

At $1,512/mo, how Portage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Portage rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Portage

About renting in Portage, IN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Portage is $1,512/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($76,276/yr), Portage ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Portage an affordable city for renters?

Portage is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,512/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($76,276/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Portage falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Portage?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,512/mo in Portage. The local median household income is $76,276/yr, meaning the typical Portage household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Portage?

Rent in Portage has increased 7.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Portage rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Portage is middle-of-the-pack for Indiana for rent, ranking #29 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,512/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Portage?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Portage ($1,512/mo): Gary ($1,366/mo), Hobart ($1,376/mo), Lake Station ($1,450/mo).

What percentage of Portage residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.1% of Portage households are renters, while 72.9% are owner-occupied. Portage leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Portage rent compare to the national average?

Portage's median rent of $1,512/mo is $453 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #29 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,512/mo, rent takes ~24% of Portage's median household income ($76,276/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Portage 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the Portage affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Portage
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Portage, IN

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