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City · 6,642 residents · DeKalb County, Indiana

Garrett , Indiana

In Garrett, a typical home is worth $154,200 and typical rent is $858 a month. Compared with all of DeKalb County, the typical home value is 21% lower and typical household income is 14% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $154,200

    21% below the county

    29% below Indiana

    • Garrett
    • DeKalb
    • Indiana

  • Typical rent

    $858a month

    About the same as the county

    19% below Indiana

    • Garrett
    • DeKalb
    • Indiana

  • Typical household income

    $64,179a year

    14% below the county

    11% below Indiana

    • Garrett
    • DeKalb
    • Indiana

  • Households that own their home

    80%

    3 points below the county

    9 points above Indiana

    • Garrett
    • DeKalb
    • Indiana

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$193,026
5.6% more than 12 months ago

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

Garrett is in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Garrett apart

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

  1. The typical home in Garrett is worth $154,200, 21% less than in DeKalb County as a whole ($194,100).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Garrett

What homes there are in Garrett, 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

As in DeKalb County, most homes in Garrett are detached houses (77%).

Year built

In Garrett, half of the homes were built before 1974; in DeKalb County, before 1975.

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

At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Garrett are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for DeKalb County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,105 a month

DeKalb County: $1,207 a month

Without a mortgage

$416 a month

DeKalb County: $439 a month

Owners with a mortgage

67%

DeKalb County: 64%

Owning costs less in Garrett: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,105 a month; in DeKalb County, $1,207. Without one, $416.

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 Garrett rose 57% since 2015–2019, about the same as in DeKalb County (56%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Garrett rose 26%, more than in DeKalb County (23%).

The typical household income in Garrett rose 38% over that time; home values changed +57% and rent +26%.

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

MeasureGarrettDeKalb CountyIndianaUnited States
Rental vacancy 22.9%13.9%5.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.8%3.4%
People per household 2.322.532.462.53
Drive alone 84%81%76%69%
Carpool 14%11%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate5%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutesUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Garrett, the rental vacancy rate is 22.9%; in DeKalb County, 13.9%.

Fewer people live in each home here: 2.32 on average, against 2.53 in DeKalb County.

To get to work, 84% of workers in Garrett drive alone; in DeKalb County, 81%.

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 Garrett?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Garrett, worth $154,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 23% of the typical household income in Garrett, which is $64,179 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Garrett. 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 $5,397 (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

$1,224

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$151,407
Total interest
$217,839
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,604 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,498 a month

    Your payment · 23%

  • Tight

    $1,498 to $1,925 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,925 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Garrett ($64,179 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,224
Principal & interest$1,026
Property tax$66
Home insurance$64
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$68

You need at least $5,397 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

Garrett and DeKalb County

Garrett is in DeKalb 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).

Garrett's own numbers

Typical home value
$154,200
Typical monthly rent
$858
Typical yearly household income
$64,179
Households that own their home
80%
Effective property tax rate
0.51%

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

Numbers for all of DeKalb County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,023
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.4%

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 DeKalb County.

Everything about DeKalb County

Buying

Buying a home in Garrett

A typical home in Garrett is worth $154,200: 21% below the county and 29% below Indiana. With the typical household income in Garrett ($64,179 a year), a typical home costs 2.4 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.

  • Garrett 2.4 years
  • DeKalb 2.6 years
  • Indiana 3.0 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in DeKalb County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in DeKalb County rose 99% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Indiana U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.4% +4.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +57% +53% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +99% +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

Garrett next to DeKalb 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
  • Garrett $154,200
  • DeKalb $194,100
  • Indiana $218,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Garrett $858
  • DeKalb $861
  • Indiana $1,062
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Garrett $64,179
  • DeKalb $74,331
  • Indiana $71,957
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Garrett next to DeKalb County and Indiana
Measure Garrett DeKalb County Indiana U.S.
Typical home value $154,200 $194,100 $218,200 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $858 $861 $1,062 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $64,179 $74,331 $71,957 $80,734
Households that own their home 80% 82% 71% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $788 $1,205 $1,614 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.51% 0.62% 0.74% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 58% 40% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below DeKalb 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 Garrett

For a typical $154,200 home in Garrett, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Garrett's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,224a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,397
    Cash to close
    $10,023
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $68

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,195a month

    Down payment
    $7,710
    Cash to close
    $12,336
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $73

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $965a month

    Down payment
    $30,840
    Cash to close
    $35,466
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,108a month

    Down payment
    $23,130
    Cash to close
    $27,756
    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 Garrett and for DeKalb County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Garrett

0.51%of the home’s value each year

$788 a year for the typical owner in Garrett.

  • Garrett 0.51%
  • DeKalb 0.62%
  • 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 DeKalb County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.4%
264
Of those, with NFIP insurance
16%
County Indiana U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.4% 2.3% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 16% 17% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Garrett

Typical rent in Garrett is $858 a month: about the same as the county. In Garrett, 58% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of DeKalb County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,023 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.67 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of DeKalb 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 $765 $14.71 $30,600
1 bedroom $814 $15.65 $32,560
2 bedrooms $1,023 $19.67 $40,920
3 bedrooms $1,270 $24.42 $50,800
4 bedrooms $1,344 $25.85 $53,760

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 Garrett

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Garrett is in ZIP code 46738.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,040: $17 more than the fair market rent for DeKalb County ($1,023).

  • 46738 $1,040$1,290

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Garrett 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 Garrett

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Garrett. These are the largest.

  • Sacred Heart Apts 220 S Ijams St, Garrett 46738 42 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 22 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
  • Connie Jean Crossing Phase I 1400 Connie Jean Xing, Garrett 46738 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2006
  • Connie Jean Crossing Phase II 1400 Connie Jean Xing, Garrett 46738 32 homes, 30 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2007

See all 8 buildings in DeKalb County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Garrett

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.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in DeKalb County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

An older woman smiles in front of her apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Garrett

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Garrett or DeKalb County. The ones below are statewide in Indiana: they work in Garrett 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 Garrett

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

  • Lacasa of Goshen, Inc.

    202 N Cottage Ave, Goshen · 40 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    574-533-4450x72

  • Lacasa of Goshen Inc - Branch Office

    516 S Main St, Elkhart · 49 miles away · Spanish

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 3 more
    (574) 533-4450

  • The Affordable Housing Corporation of Marion, Indiana

    812 S Washington St, Marion · 62 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 8 more
    (765) 662-1574

All counseling agencies in Indiana

Help in Spanish near Garrett

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve 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 Garrett

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in DeKalb County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in Indiana Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in DeKalb County

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

Everything about DeKalb County Housing in Indiana

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Garrett, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If DeKalb 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 Garrett.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about Garrett

Short answers with the numbers for Garrett and all of DeKalb 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 Garrett?

The typical home value in Garrett is $154,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in DeKalb County it is $194,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Garrett?

Typical rent in Garrett is $858 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in DeKalb County is $1,023.

What is the FHA loan limit in Garrett?

Garrett uses the FHA limit for all of DeKalb 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 Garrett?

The typical homeowner in Garrett pays $788 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.51% of the home’s value; in DeKalb County, the rate is 0.62%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in DeKalb County; the nearest ones are on this page. 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).