At $1,618/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,618 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Portage changed +5.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 79 Michigan cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.
Rent rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($83,212) is $2,080 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,700).
Kalamazoo, 6 miles away, rents for 25% less ($1,216/mo), about $4,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Portage. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Portage, MI is majority owner-occupied, 47.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Portage, MI has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $68,755 to $83,212 across the same window, up 21.0% versus 2021. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 48,767 residents to roughly 49,259. Renters now make up 30.9% of households, compared with 33.1% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Portage on your salary?
At $1,618/mo, how Portage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Portage rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Portage. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Portage
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Portage is $1,618/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,585/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($83,212/yr), Portage ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Portage?
Which Portage neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Portage rent compare to other cities in Michigan?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Portage?
At $1,618/mo, rent takes ~23% of Portage's median household income ($83,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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