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City · 31,814 residents · LaPorte County, Indiana

Michigan City , Indiana

In Michigan City, a typical home is worth $143,100 and typical rent is $967 a month. Compared with all of LaPorte County, the typical home value is 27% lower, typical household income is 25% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 16 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $143,100

    27% below the county

    34% below Indiana

    • Michigan City
    • LaPorte
    • Indiana

  • Typical rent

    $967a month

    About the same as the county

    9% below Indiana

    • Michigan City
    • LaPorte
    • Indiana

  • Typical household income

    $53,089a year

    25% below the county

    26% below Indiana

    • Michigan City
    • LaPorte
    • Indiana

  • Households that own their home

    59%

    16 points below the county

    12 points below Indiana

    • Michigan City
    • LaPorte
    • Indiana

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$189,818
4.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,146 a month
10.9% more than 12 months ago

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

Michigan City is in LaPorte 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 LaPorte County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Michigan City apart

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

  1. 59% of households in Michigan City own their home, against 75% in LaPorte County.

  2. The typical home in Michigan City is worth $143,100, 27% less than in LaPorte County as a whole ($195,500).

  3. The typical household income in Michigan City is $53,089, 25% less than in LaPorte County as a whole ($71,055).

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

The homes here

Housing in Michigan City

What homes there are in Michigan City, 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

In Michigan City, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in LaPorte County, 8.

Year built

Homes in Michigan City are older: the typical year built is 1961; in LaPorte County, 1969.

Homes in Michigan City are smaller: 51% have 3 bedrooms or more; in LaPorte County, 66%.

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

By price, most homes in Michigan City sit under the FHA limit for LaPorte County ($541,287): about 96%.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,126 a month

LaPorte County: $1,303 a month

Without a mortgage

$463 a month

LaPorte County: $495 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

LaPorte County: 59%

In Michigan City, 57% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,126 a month, against $1,303 in LaPorte County. Without one it drops to $463.

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 Michigan City rose 59% since 2015–2019, more than in LaPorte County (47%).

Rents in Michigan City rose at about the same pace as in LaPorte County: 29% since 2015–2019, against 31%.

The typical household income in Michigan City rose 31% over that time; home values changed +59% and rent +29%.

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

MeasureMichigan CityLaPorte CountyIndianaUnited States
Rental vacancy 6.7%4.8%5.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.8%1.8%3.4%
People per household 2.232.412.462.53
Drive alone 79%83%76%69%
Carpool 9%7%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Work from home 8%7%11%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Michigan City, the rental vacancy rate is 6.7%; in LaPorte County, 4.8%.

On average, a household in Michigan City has 2.23 people, fewer than in LaPorte County (2.41).

In Michigan City, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in LaPorte County, 83%.

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 Michigan City?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Michigan City, worth $143,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 27% of the typical household income in Michigan City, which is $53,089 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Michigan City. 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 $5,009 (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

$1,174

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$140,508
Total interest
$202,157
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,417 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,239 a month

    Your payment · 27%

  • Tight

    $1,239 to $1,593 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,593 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Michigan City ($53,089 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,174
Principal & interest$952
Property tax$99
Home insurance$60
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$63

You need at least $5,009 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

Michigan City and LaPorte County

Michigan City is in LaPorte 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).

Michigan City's own numbers

Typical home value
$143,100
Typical monthly rent
$967
Typical yearly household income
$53,089
Households that own their home
59%
Effective property tax rate
0.83%

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

Numbers for all of LaPorte County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,245
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+59%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%

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 LaPorte County.

Everything about LaPorte County

Buying

Buying a home in Michigan City

A typical home in Michigan City is worth $143,100: 27% below the county and 34% below Indiana. With the typical household income in Michigan City ($53,089 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 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.

  • Michigan City 2.7 years
  • LaPorte 2.8 years
  • Indiana 3.0 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in LaPorte County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in LaPorte County rose 97% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Indiana U.S.
Last year (2025) +7.8% +4.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +59% +53% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +97% +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

Michigan City next to LaPorte 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
  • Michigan City $143,100
  • LaPorte $195,500
  • Indiana $218,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Michigan City $967
  • LaPorte $976
  • Indiana $1,062
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Michigan City $53,089
  • LaPorte $71,055
  • Indiana $71,957
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Michigan City next to LaPorte County and Indiana
Measure Michigan City LaPorte County Indiana U.S.
Typical home value $143,100 $195,500 $218,200 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $967 $976 $1,062 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $53,089 $71,055 $71,957 $80,734
Households that own their home 59% 75% 71% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,192 $1,503 $1,614 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.83% 0.77% 0.74% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 49% 47% 48% 51%

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

For a typical $143,100 home in Michigan City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Michigan City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,174a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,009
    Cash to close
    $9,302
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $63

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,148a month

    Down payment
    $7,155
    Cash to close
    $11,448
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $68

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $934a month

    Down payment
    $28,620
    Cash to close
    $32,913
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,066a month

    Down payment
    $21,465
    Cash to close
    $25,758
    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 Michigan City and for LaPorte County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Michigan City

0.83%of the home’s value each year

$1,192 a year for the typical owner in Michigan City.

  • Michigan City 0.83%
  • LaPorte 0.77%
  • 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 LaPorte County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.2%
530
Of those, with NFIP insurance
20%
County Indiana U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.2% 2.3% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 20% 17% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Michigan City

Typical rent in Michigan City is $967 a month: about the same as the county. In Michigan City, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of LaPorte County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,245 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $23.94 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of LaPorte 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 $963 $18.52 $38,520
1 bedroom $1,031 $19.83 $41,240
2 bedrooms $1,245 $23.94 $49,800
3 bedrooms $1,525 $29.33 $61,000
4 bedrooms $1,762 $33.88 $70,480

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 Michigan City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Michigan City is in ZIP code 46360.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,240: $5 less than the fair market rent for LaPorte County ($1,245).

  • 46360 $1,240$1,520

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

HUD lists 15 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Michigan City. These are the largest.

  • Boulevard Gardens 421 E 6th St, Michigan City 46360 177 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City · Average payment: $355 a month · Average wait: 55 months (219) 872-7287
  • Garden Estates West 901 Pinetree Ct, Michigan City 46360 174 homes, 171 low-income · For families (219) 879-5331
  • Garden Estates West 909 Pinetree Ct, Michigan City 46360 171 low-income homes · 1 bd: 57 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 34 · In service since 2007
  • Canterbury House Apts - Michigan City 1200 Mallard Dr, Michigan City 46360 132 low-income homes · 1 bd: 25 · 2 bd: 60 · 3 bd: 33 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Silver Birch of Michigan City (michigan BLVD Rcf) 4400 E Michigan Blvd, Michigan City 46360 119 low-income homes · Studio: 35 · 1 bd: 84 · In service since 2018

See all 25 buildings in LaPorte County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Michigan City

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 LaPorte County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Michigan City

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

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

  • City of Gary Department of Community Development

    401 Broadway, Gary · 25 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 · 32 miles away

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

  • Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance

    5233 Hohman Ave Ste 104, Hammond · 34 miles away · Spanish

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

All counseling agencies in Indiana

Help in Spanish near Michigan City

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 Michigan City

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

  • Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (219) 872-7287

All housing agencies in Indiana Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in LaPorte County

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

Everything about LaPorte County Housing in Indiana

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Michigan City, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If LaPorte 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 Michigan City.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Michigan City

Short answers with the numbers for Michigan City and all of LaPorte 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 Michigan City?

The typical home value in Michigan City is $143,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in LaPorte County it is $195,500.

How much does it cost to rent in Michigan City?

Typical rent in Michigan City is $967 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in LaPorte County is $1,245.

What is the FHA loan limit in Michigan City?

Michigan City uses the FHA limit for all of LaPorte 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 Michigan City?

The typical homeowner in Michigan City pays $1,192 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.83% of the home’s value; in LaPorte County, the rate is 0.77%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in LaPorte 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).