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City · 26,022 residents · Lake County, Indiana

East Chicago , Indiana

In East Chicago, a typical home is worth $105,400 and typical rent is $854 a month. Compared with all of Lake County, the typical home value is 54% lower, typical household income is 41% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 29 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $105,400

    54% below the county

    52% below Indiana

    • East Chicago
    • Lake
    • Indiana

  • Typical rent

    $854a month

    24% below the county

    20% below Indiana

    • East Chicago
    • Lake
    • Indiana

  • Typical household income

    $42,125a year

    41% below the county

    41% below Indiana

    • East Chicago
    • Lake
    • Indiana

  • Households that own their home

    43%

    29 points below the county

    28 points below Indiana

    • East Chicago
    • Lake
    • Indiana

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$129,550
3.7% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,040 a month
3.7% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

East Chicago is in Lake County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Lake County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets East Chicago apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 43% of households in East Chicago own their home, against 72% in Lake County.

  2. The typical home in East Chicago is worth $105,400, 54% less than in Lake County as a whole ($230,600).

  3. East Chicago has the 5th lowest typical household income of the 134 cities in Indiana with more than 5,000 people ($42,125).

  4. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in East Chicago fell 3.7%; in Indiana, it rose 2.9%.

  5. The typical rent in East Chicago is $854 a month, 24% less than in Lake County as a whole ($1,131).

  6. 17% of households in East Chicago have no internet at home (8% in Lake County).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in East Chicago

What homes there are in East Chicago, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Homes in East Chicago are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 41%, against 71% in Lake County.

Year built

In East Chicago, at least half of the homes were built before 1940, and 75% date from before 1960.

There are fewer big homes in East Chicago than in Lake County: 51% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 64%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

About 90% of rented homes in East Chicago cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Lake County ($1,429).

With a mortgage

$1,153 a month

Lake County: $1,529 a month

Without a mortgage

$506 a month

Lake County: $569 a month

Owners with a mortgage

43%

Lake County: 63%

In East Chicago, 43% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,153 a month, against $1,529 in Lake County. Without one it drops to $506.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in East Chicago rose 42% since 2015–2019, less than in Lake County (54%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in East Chicago rose 25%, less than in Lake County (28%).

To compare: typical income in East Chicago rose 28%; the home, +42%; the rent, +25%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureEast ChicagoLake CountyIndianaUnited States
Rental vacancy 2.8%5.1%5.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.2%2.3%1.8%3.4%
People per household 2.612.542.462.53
Drive alone 75%80%76%69%
Carpool 16%8%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Walk or bike 2%1%2%3%
Work from home 5%8%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

There is little rental housing open in East Chicago: only 2.8% is empty and offered for rent, against 5.1% in Lake County.

Much as in Lake County, 2.2% of households in East Chicago have more than one person per room.

Much as in Lake County, a household in East Chicago has 2.61 people on average.

In East Chicago, 16% of workers share a car to get to work; in Lake County, 8%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in East Chicago?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in East Chicago, worth $105,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income in East Chicago, which is $42,125 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lake County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in East Chicago. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $3,689 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$882

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$103,491
Total interest
$148,899
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $1,780 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $983 a month

    Your payment · 25%

  • Tight

    $983 to $1,264 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,264 a month

Compared with the typical household income in East Chicago ($42,125 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$882
Principal & interest$701
Property tax$91
Home insurance$44
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$47

You need at least $3,689 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

East Chicago and Lake County

East Chicago is in Lake County, Indiana. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

East Chicago's own numbers

Typical home value
$105,400
Typical monthly rent
$854
Typical yearly household income
$42,125
Households that own their home
43%
Effective property tax rate
1.03%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Lake County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,429
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.1%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Lake County.

Everything about Lake County

Buying

Buying a home in East Chicago

A typical home in East Chicago is worth $105,400: 54% below the county and 52% below Indiana. With the typical household income in East Chicago ($42,125 a year), a typical home costs 2.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • East Chicago 2.5 years
  • Lake 3.2 years
  • Indiana 3.0 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Lake County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Lake County rose 82% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Lake County.

Period County Indiana U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.2% +4.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +53% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +82% +95% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

East Chicago next to Lake County, Indiana and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • East Chicago $105,400
  • Lake $230,600
  • Indiana $218,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • East Chicago $854
  • Lake $1,131
  • Indiana $1,062
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • East Chicago $42,125
  • Lake $71,493
  • Indiana $71,957
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
East Chicago next to Lake County and Indiana
Measure East Chicago Lake County Indiana U.S.
Typical home value $105,400 $230,600 $218,200 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $854 $1,131 $1,062 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $42,125 $71,493 $71,957 $80,734
Households that own their home 43% 72% 71% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,083 $2,112 $1,614 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.03% 0.92% 0.74% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 50% 52% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Lake County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in East Chicago

For a typical $105,400 home in East Chicago, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, East Chicago's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $882a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $3,689
    Cash to close
    $6,851
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $47

  • Conventional, 5% down $863a month

    Down payment
    $5,270
    Cash to close
    $8,432
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $50

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $706a month

    Down payment
    $21,080
    Cash to close
    $24,242
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $803a month

    Down payment
    $15,810
    Cash to close
    $18,972
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for East Chicago and for Lake County.

Property tax

Effective rate in East Chicago

1.03%of the home’s value each year

$1,083 a year for the typical owner in East Chicago.

  • East Chicago 1.03%
  • Lake 0.92%
  • Indiana 0.74%

What Indiana publishes Homestead standard deduction: the amount drops each year (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), Form HC10)

Exemptions and deadlines in Indiana

Flood risk in Lake County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Lake County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.1%
2,019
Of those, with NFIP insurance
26%
County Indiana U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.1% 2.3% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 26% 17% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in East Chicago

Typical rent in East Chicago is $854 a month: 24% below the county. In East Chicago, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Lake County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,429 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.48 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Lake County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,117 $21.48 $44,680
1 bedroom $1,176 $22.62 $47,040
2 bedrooms $1,429 $27.48 $57,160
3 bedrooms $1,739 $33.44 $69,560
4 bedrooms $1,898 $36.50 $75,920

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in East Chicago

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). East Chicago is in ZIP code 46312.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,140: $289 less than the fair market rent for Lake County ($1,429).

  • 46312 $1,140$1,390

A ZIP code counts for East Chicago when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in East Chicago

HUD lists 14 buildings with rents for lower incomes in East Chicago. These are the largest.

  • Lakeside Gardens 3806 Erie Ct, East Chicago 46312 312 low-income homes · 1 bd: 86 · 2 bd: 170 · 3 bd: 56 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Lakeside Gardens 3804 Erie Ct, East Chicago 46312 312 homes, 309 low-income · For families (219) 397-6200
  • John B Nicosia 4720 Railroad Ave, East Chicago 46312 207 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of East Chicago (219) 397-9974
  • Harborside Apartments 3610 Alder St, East Chicago 46312 209 homes, 203 low-income · For families (219) 398-4433
  • Scattered Sites 1301 E Columbus Dr, East Chicago 46312 131 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of East Chicago · Average payment: $311 a month · Average wait: 19 months · Homes at several sites (219) 397-9974

See all 83 buildings in Lake County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in East Chicago

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 3 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Lake County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in East Chicago

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for East Chicago or Lake County. The ones below are statewide in Indiana: they work in East Chicago the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Indiana

  • Next Home

    Statewide in Indiana

    Indiana state agency program with down payment assistance of 2.5% or 3.5% of the price, alongside a 30-year FHA or conventional mortgage. Offered by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • First Step

    Statewide in Indiana

    Indiana state agency 30-year FHA or conventional mortgage for first-time buyers (or homes in designated areas), with down payment assistance as a second mortgage with no interest or payments, repaid when the first mortgage ends. Offered by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near East Chicago

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of East Chicago, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance

    5233 Hohman Ave Ste 104, Hammond · 4 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (219) 750-1206

  • City of Gary Department of Community Development

    401 Broadway, Gary · 7 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (219) 881-5075

  • HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, INC dba CoACTION

    5240 Fountain Dr, Crown Point · 12 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (800) 826-7871

Every agency in Lake County All counseling agencies in Indiana

Help in Spanish near East Chicago

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of East Chicago

HUD’s record names them for East Chicago or Lake County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the City of East Chicago Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (219) 397-9974

2 other authorities have an office in Lake County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Lake County

These cities are also in Lake County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Lake County Housing in Indiana
See 5 more cities in Lake County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to East Chicago, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Lake County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in East Chicago.

All guides
A mother holding her baby watches her daughter blow bubbles outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about East Chicago

Short answers with the numbers for East Chicago and all of Lake County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in East Chicago?

The typical home value in East Chicago is $105,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Lake County it is $230,600.

How much does it cost to rent in East Chicago?

Typical rent in East Chicago is $854 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Lake County is $1,429.

What is the FHA loan limit in East Chicago?

East Chicago uses the FHA limit for all of Lake County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in East Chicago?

The typical homeowner in East Chicago pays $1,083 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.03% of the home’s value; in Lake County, the rate is 0.92%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in East Chicago?

There are 3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Lake County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).