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County in Indiana

Porter County, Indiana

Porter County is a county in Indiana with 174,818 residents, No. 10 of 92 by population. In Porter County, the FHA loan limit for a one-unit home is $541,287, and a typical home is worth $281,500. To rent a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent ($1,429 a month) without going over 30% of your income, you need to earn about $27.48 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $281,500

    +29% vs. Indiana −15% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Porter
    • Indiana
    • United States

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

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,429 a month

    +10% vs. Indiana −18% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Porter
    • Indiana
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Porter
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.83% of value per year

    +12% vs. Indiana −12% vs. U.S.

    $2,326 a year for the typical owner

    • Porter
    • Indiana
    • United States

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$330,010
2.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,473 a month
4.6% more than 12 months ago

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

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Porter County today?

With an FHA loan and the minimum down payment, a typical home would cost about $2,309 a month: 31% of the typical household income here. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $98,955 a year; the typical income here is $87,972. The typical home value is 29% more than in Indiana overall. 78% of households own their home, more than in Indiana (71%). The typical property tax is $2,326 a year (about 0.83% of home value), higher than in Indiana.

51% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing.

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

Only here

What sets Porter County apart

  1. Porter County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,219, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Lake County ($1,131).

  2. Porter County has the highest typical home value in its area: $281,500, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Lake County ($230,600).

  3. Porter County has the 5th highest typical rent of the 92 counties in Indiana ($1,219).

  4. At 0.83%, Porter County ranks 6th among the 92 counties in Indiana for the highest effective property tax rate.

  5. At $281,500, Porter County ranks 6th among the 92 counties in Indiana for the highest typical home value.

  6. Porter County has the 7th highest typical household income of the 92 counties in Indiana ($87,972).

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

The homes here

Housing in Porter County

What homes there are in Porter County, 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

The detached house is the most common home in Porter County: 75% of homes, near the figure in Indiana (73%).

Year built

The typical home in Porter County was built in 1982, 6 years after the typical one in Indiana.

In Porter County, 72% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in Indiana (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

The FHA loan limit for this county is $541,287, and about 90% of owner-occupied homes in Porter County are worth less than that.

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for this county is $1,429; about 67% of rents in Porter County are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,653 a month

Indiana: $1,404 a month

Without a mortgage

$611 a month

Indiana: $517 a month

Owners with a mortgage

67%

Indiana: 64%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Porter County is $1,653 a month, more than in Indiana ($1,404); without one, $611.

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

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Porter County rose at about the same pace as in Indiana: 52% against 54%.

Much as in Indiana, the typical rent in Porter County rose 31% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Porter County rose 24%: less than home values (+52%) and rent (+31%).

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

MeasurePorter CountyIndianaUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.8%5.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.9%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.4%1.8%3.4%
People per household 2.502.462.53
Drive alone 81%76%69%
Carpool 7%9%9%
Public transit 1%1%3%
Walk or bike 1%2%3%
Work from home 10%11%15%
Other means 1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Open rentals in Porter County look like those in Indiana: the rental vacancy rate is 4.8%.

Much as in Indiana, 1.4% of households in Porter County have more than one person per room.

Much as in Indiana, a household in Porter County has 2.50 people on average.

To get to work, 81% of workers in Porter County drive alone; in Indiana, 76%.

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 in Porter County?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home of $281,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income here, which is $87,972 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $98,955 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Porter County. 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 $9,853 (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

$2,309

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$276,401
Total interest
$397,676
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,754 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,053 a month

  • Tight

    $2,053 to $2,639 a month

    Your payment · 31%

  • Hard

    more than $2,639 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Porter County ($87,972 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,309
Principal & interest$1,872
Property tax$195
Home insurance$117
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$125

You need at least $9,853 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.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Porter County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Porter County compares with Indiana and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Porter County rose 78% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Indiana United States
In 2025 +3.6% +4.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +53% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +78% +95% +85%
See each year's change

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

Porter County compared with Indiana and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Porter $281,500
  • Indiana $218,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Porter $1,219
  • Indiana $1,062
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Porter $87,972
  • Indiana $71,957
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Porter compared with Indiana and the United States
MeasureHereIndianaU.S.
Residents174,8186,851,073334,922,499
Typical home value$281,500$218,200$332,700
Typical household income$87,972$71,957$80,734
Typical rent$1,219$1,062$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,429$1,302$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$27.48$25.04$33.65
Typical property tax$2,326$1,614$3,119
Effective tax rate0.83%0.74%0.94%
Households that own their home78%71%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent51%48%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: Indiana shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Porter County

For a typical $281,500 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $2,309 $9,853 $276,401 7.18% FHA MIP · $125 $18,298 580
Conventional, 5% down $2,257 $14,075 $267,425 7.18% PMI · $134 $22,520 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,838 $56,300 $225,200 7.18% None $64,745 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,098 $42,225 $239,275 8.18% None $50,670 Set by the lender
  • 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.

Everything about buying in Porter County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in Porter County use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Porter County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Porter County, the typical owner pays $2,326 a year: about 0.83% of the home's value. That is more than the rest of Indiana and less than the national average.

  • Porter 0.83%
  • Indiana 0.74%
  • United States 0.94%

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

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Porter County 0.4% of homes (269) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 20% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Porter County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Porter County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

According to FEMA, the natural hazard risk in Porter County is relatively moderate.

FEMA builds that rating from three parts: expected loss, social vulnerability and community resilience.

In all, FEMA estimates natural hazards cause about $58.2 million in losses a year in Porter County, across buildings, people and crops.

For homes and buildings, the costliest hazard here is inland flooding, at about $24.7 million in losses a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively moderate $24.7 million a year
  2. TornadoRelatively high $6 million a year
  3. EarthquakeRelatively low $862,902 a year
  4. WildfireVery low $92,473 a year
  5. Heat waveRelatively low $9,933 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts Porter County in zone 5A: cold.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal air leaks and add insulation in the attic: ENERGY STAR says it lowers the chance of ice dams on the roof in snowy climates. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Put clear plastic film over the windows: it is inexpensive, cuts drafts, helps the house feel warmer in winter and reduces moisture on the glass. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$49.21$23.99 and $59.65
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$49.70$25.94 and $61.15
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$37.48$22.82 and $56.70
Roofers$39.47$23.45 and $51.34
Carpenters$38.68$19.82 and $56.95
Painters, construction and maintenance$29.68$21.42 and $52.80
Maintenance and repair workers, general$27.90$17.73 and $39.58

According to BLS, an electrician earns about $49.21 an hour in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area; a plumber, about $49.70.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Porter County

The typical rent in Porter County is $1,219 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

51% of renter households in Porter County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 23% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
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

Free help in Porter County

Programs and counseling in Porter County

We didn't find HUD-approved agencies with an office in this county. These are the 3 nearest; many serve by phone or online.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

Three generations of a family gather on the porch of their home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Indiana down payment programs

  1. Next Home

    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

    The source does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer. Run by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

    Type not stated Verified November 5, 2026

  2. First Step

    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

    First-time buyers only. Run by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Indiana programs

Help in Spanish in Porter County

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.

Public housing agencies

HUD lists no public housing authority based in Porter County. The authority of a nearby county or the state may serve this area.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These are the nearest agencies, with the distance in miles. Many help by phone or online. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • City of Gary Department of Community Development

    401 Broadway, Gary · 15 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 · 17 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 · 24 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (219) 750-1206
See every agency in Indiana

Places

Cities in Porter County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

See all 5 cities of Porter County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Porter County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Porter County in 2026?

Porter County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in Porter County?

Porter County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Porter County?

The typical home value in Porter County is $281,500 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Indiana it's $218,200.

How much does it cost to rent in Porter County?

Porter County has a typical rent of $1,219 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,429 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Porter County?

About $27.48 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $57,160 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,429 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).