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City Report · MI

Portage

Pop. 49,259·48th most expensive in Michigan·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,505/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.2%
Month-over-Month
-10.5%
vs US Median
-$460
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Portage · $1,505
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,505/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$83,212/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Portage's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$1,010
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,585
4 BR+
$1,700
Research median
$1,200/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
$18,060/yr
At $1,505/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.2% YoY, -10.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Portage, MI is majority owner-occupied, 47.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
49,259
Median income
$83,212
Median age
38.5
Renters
30.9%
Age distribution
20.8%
24%
24.9%
12.2%
18%
Under 1820.8%
18–3424%
35–5424.9%
55–6412.2%
65+18%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
81%
White81%
Black6.3%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian3.4%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
18.8%
30%
47.9%
No HS diploma3.3%
HS diploma18.8%
Some college30%
Bachelor's+47.9%
Housing tenure
69.1%
30.9%
Owner69.1%
Renter30.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Portage, MI has changed in 5 years

Income
$68,755 → $83,212
up 21.0%
Population
48,767 → 49,259
up 1.0%
Renter share
33.1% → 30.9%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
47.6% → 47.9%
+0.3 pts
Median age
37 → 38.5
+1.5 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Portage on your salary?

At $1,505/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, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Portage is $1,505/mo as of July 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 22% of local median household income ($83,212/yr), Portage ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Portage an affordable city for renters?

Portage is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,505/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($83,212/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 $1,505/mo in Portage. The local median household income is $83,212/yr, meaning the typical Portage household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Portage?

Rent in Portage has decreased 1.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Portage neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Portage are 49002 ($1,500/mo), and 49024 ($1,500/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Portage is $1,505/mo.

How does Portage rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Portage is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #48 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,505/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Portage?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Portage ($1,505/mo): Paw Paw ($995/mo), Battle Creek ($1,146/mo), Elkhart ($1,174/mo).

What percentage of Portage residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.9% of Portage households are renters, while 69.1% 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 $1,505/mo is $460 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #48 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,505/mo, rent takes ~22% of Portage's median household income ($83,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Portage 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.25%
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, MI

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