ZIP Code · IN

ZIP 46409

Part of Gary, IN

Pop. 7,184·Lake County·70th most expensive ZIP in Indiana

Median rent (all units)

$1,349/mo

Year-over-Year

-3.2%

Month-over-Month

-0.4%

vs US Median

-$583

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 46409 · $1,349

More affordable than 83% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,030

1 BR

$1,160

2 BR

$1,410

3 BR

$1,730

4 BR+

$1,870

Research median

$1,410/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Indiana

Rent in ZIP 46409 changed -3.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Indiana ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.9%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($44,667) is $1,117 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($1,030); a 1-bedroom is $1,160.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 46312, 10 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,040/mo), about $3,700 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 46409. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,188/yr

At $1,349/mo median

Location

CityGary

StateIN

CountyLake County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 3.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-3.2% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 46409 (Gary, IN) is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

7,184

Median income

$44,667

Median age

34.7

Renters

55.5%

Age distribution

27.3%

23.3%

23.5%

12.4%

13.5%

Under 1827.3%

18–3423.3%

35–5423.5%

55–6412.4%

65+13.5%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

65.1%

17.2%

White11.7%

Black65.1%

Hispanic17.2%

Other5.9%

Education (25+)

15.8%

38.2%

34.6%

No HS diploma15.8%

HS diploma38.2%

Some college34.6%

Bachelor's+11.4%

Housing tenure

44.5%

55.5%

Owner44.5%

Renter55.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 46409 in Gary, IN has changed in 5 years

Income

$33,591 → $44,667

up 33.0%

Population

6,986 → 7,184

up 2.8%

Renter share

55.3% → 55.5%

+0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

11.9% → 11.4%

-0.5 pts

Median age

37.1 → 34.7

-2.4 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $33,591 to $44,667 across the same window, up 33.0% versus 2021. The population has grown by 2.8% since 2021, moving from about 6,986 residents to roughly 7,184.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 46409

About renting in ZIP 46409

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 46409 covers Gary, IN. The median rent here is $1,349/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,160/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,410/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($44,667/yr), ZIP 46409 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 46409?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (about $26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,349/mo in ZIP 46409. The local median household income is $44,667/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 46409?

Rent in ZIP 46409 has fallen 3.2% over the past year.

How does ZIP 46409 compare to other ZIPs in Indiana?

ZIP 46409 is in the middle among Indiana ZIP codes for rent, ranking #70 of 139 at $1,349/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 46409 changed -3.2%, against a typical +3.9% across the 114 Indiana ZIP codes Zillow tracks.