City Report · IN

Valparaiso

Pop. 34,733·31st most expensive in Indiana·Rental market data updated monthly for Valparaiso, IN
Median rent (all units)
$1,450/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.3%
Month-over-Month
-6.5%
vs US Median
-$512
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Valparaiso · $1,450
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
60/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Valparaiso's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,450/mo
Expected by trend
$1,527/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Valparaiso's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,065
2 BR
$1,295
3 BR
$1,595
4 BR+
$1,720
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,295/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,450 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$17,400/yr
At $1,450/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.3% YoY, -6.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Valparaiso, IN is majority owner-occupied, 40.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,733
Median income
$69,872
Median age
37
Renters
42%
Age distribution
19.1%
27.8%
25.1%
16.9%
Under 1819.1%
18–3427.8%
35–5425.1%
55–6411.1%
65+16.9%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
84.7%
White84.7%
Black3.3%
Hispanic9.9%
Asian2.6%
Education (25+)
25.8%
28.3%
40.6%
No HS diploma5.3%
HS diploma25.8%
Some college28.3%
Bachelor's+40.6%
Housing tenure
58%
42%
Owner58%
Renter42%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Valparaiso, IN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,295 → $1,450
up 12.0%
Income
$56,465 → $69,872
up 23.7%
Population
33,820 → 34,733
up 2.7%
Renter share
46.2% → 42%
-4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
41.3% → 40.6%
-0.7 pts
Median age
36.5 → 37
+0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Valparaiso, IN has shifted from $1,295 to $1,450, up 12.0% since 2022. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,465 in 2021 to $69,872 more recently. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Valparaiso, IN adding about 913 residents over the five-year window, up 2.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 46.2% to 42%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Valparaiso, IN market of 2022.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Valparaiso on your salary?

At $1,450/mo, how Valparaiso rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Valparaiso rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Valparaiso

About renting in Valparaiso, IN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Valparaiso is $1,450/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,295/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,065/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,595/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($69,872/yr), Valparaiso ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Valparaiso an affordable city for renters?

Valparaiso is considered affordable for renters. At $1,450/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($69,872/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Valparaiso falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Valparaiso?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,450/mo in Valparaiso. The local median household income is $69,872/yr, meaning the typical Valparaiso household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Valparaiso?

Rent in Valparaiso has increased 1.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Valparaiso neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Valparaiso are 46383 ($1,339/mo), and 46385 ($1,726/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Valparaiso is $1,450/mo.

How does Valparaiso rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Valparaiso is middle-of-the-pack for Indiana for rent, ranking #31 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,450/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Valparaiso?

Hobart is nearby and more affordable at $1,379/mo, which is $71 less than Valparaiso.

What percentage of Valparaiso residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42% of Valparaiso households are renters, while 58% are owner-occupied. Valparaiso leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Valparaiso rent compare to the national average?

Valparaiso's median rent of $1,450/mo is $512 (26%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #31 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,450/mo, rent takes ~25% of Valparaiso's median household income ($69,872/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Valparaiso 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the Valparaiso affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Valparaiso
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Valparaiso, IN

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