In Ross, a typical home is worth $119,100 and typical rent is $1,101 a month. Compared with all of Lake County, the typical home value is 48% lower and typical household income is 24% lower.
Ross 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
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in Ross is worth $119,100,48% less than in Lake County as a whole ($230,600).
2
Nearby, in Gary, the typical home value is $94,700: 20% less than in Ross ($119,100).
3
The typical household income in Ross is $54,563,24% less than in Lake County as a whole ($71,493).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Ross
What homes there are in Ross, 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
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Kind of home: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Detached house
81%
71%
73%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
8%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
13%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Ross, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Lake County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Year built: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Before 1960
58%
39%
31%
26%
1960–1979
29%
27%
24%
24%
1980–1999
10%
16%
23%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
11%
12%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
7%
10%
11%
Homes in Ross are older: the typical year built is 1957; in Lake County, 1968.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K38%
$100K–$200K43%
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Under $100K
38%
$100K–$200K
43%
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99932%
$1,000–$1,49954%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
32%
$1,000–$1,499
54%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,104 a month
Lake County: $1,529 a month
Without a mortgage
$402 a month
Lake County: $569 a month
Owners with a mortgage
56%
Lake County: 63%
In Ross, 56% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,104 a month, against $1,529 in Lake County. Without one it drops to $402.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
RossBoundaries changed
Lake County+54%
Indiana+54%
United States+53%
Typical rent
RossBoundaries changed
Lake County+28%
Indiana+29%
United States+33%
Typical household income
RossBoundaries changed
Lake County+27%
Indiana+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Typical home value
Boundaries changed
+54%
+54%
+53%
Typical rent
Boundaries changed
+28%
+29%
+33%
Typical household income
Boundaries changed
+27%
+28%
+29%
Ross does not have the same boundaries as in 2015–2019: that is why there is no change to compare. For reference, in Lake County the typical home value rose 54%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Ross and its comparisons
Measure
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.1%
5.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.6%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.3%
1.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.27
2.54
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
84%
80%
76%
69%
Carpool
11%
8%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
8%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Ross are smaller: 2.27 people on average; in Lake County, 2.54.
Carpooling is common in Ross: 11% of workers get to work that way, against 8% in Lake County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Ross?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Ross, worth $119,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 22% of the typical household income in Ross, which is $54,563 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lake County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Ross. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $4,169 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$981
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$116,942
Total interest
$168,253
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,011 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,273 a month
Your payment · 22%
Tight
$1,273 to $1,637 a month
Hard
more than $1,637 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Ross ($54,563 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$792
Property tax
$86
Home insurance
$50
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$53
You need at least $4,169 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
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.
Total monthly payment $981; principal and interest $792.
The city and its county
Ross and Lake County
Ross 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).
Ross
Map of Lake County, Indiana, with Ross marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Ross
Lake County
Other cities with a page
Ross's own numbers
Typical home value
$119,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,101
Typical yearly household income
$54,563
Households that own their home
69%
Effective property tax rate
0.87%
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.
A typical home in Ross is worth $119,100: 48% below the county and 45% below Indiana. With the typical household income in Ross ($54,563 a year), a typical home costs 2.2 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.
Ross2.2 years
Lake3.2 years
Indiana3.0 years
United States4.1 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.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Lake County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.6% +2.6% 2016
2017: +4.0% +4.0% 2017
2018: +5.9% +5.9% 2018
2019: +5.5% +5.5% 2019
2020: +3.7% +3.7% 2020
2021: +12.0% +12.0% 2021
2022: +14.3% +14.3% 2022
2023: +6.9% +6.9% 2023
2024: +4.7% +4.7% 2024
2025: +3.2% +3.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Lake County, Indiana and the United States
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
Ross 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
Ross$119,100
Lake$230,600
Indiana$218,200
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Ross$1,101
Lake$1,131
Indiana$1,062
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Ross$54,563
Lake$71,493
Indiana$71,957
United States$80,734
See the full table
Ross next to Lake County and Indiana
Measure
Ross
Lake County
Indiana
U.S.
Typical home value
$119,100 ▼48% below the county
$230,600
$218,200
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,101 ▼3% below the county
$1,131
$1,062
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$54,563 ▼24% below the county
$71,493
$71,957
$80,734
Households that own their home
69% ▼3 points below the county
72%
71%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,036 ▼51% below the county
$2,112
$1,614
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.87% ▼0.05 points below the county
0.92%
0.74%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▼2 points below the county
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 Ross
For a typical $119,100 home in Ross, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Ross's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$981a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,169
Cash to close
$7,742
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $53
Conventional, 5% down$959a month
Down payment
$5,955
Cash to close
$9,528
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $57
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$781a month
Down payment
$23,820
Cash to close
$27,393
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$892a month
Down payment
$17,865
Cash to close
$21,438
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Ross
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$981
$4,169
$116,943
7.18%
FHA MIP · $53
$7,742
580
Conventional, 5% down
$959
$5,955
$113,145
7.18%
PMI · $57
$9,528
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$781
$23,820
$95,280
7.18%
None
$27,393
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$892
$17,865
$101,235
8.18%
None
$21,438
Set by the lender
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.
Typical rent in Ross is $1,101 a month: 3% below the county. In Ross, 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.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Lake County (Fiscal year 2027)
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
Free help
Help to buy or rent in Ross
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.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Ross or Lake County. The ones below are statewide in Indiana: they work in Ross the same as in the rest of the state.
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).
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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Ross or Lake County in particular.
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.
Short answers with the numbers for Ross 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 Ross?
The typical home value in Ross is $119,100, 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 Ross?
Typical rent in Ross is $1,101 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 Ross?
Ross 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 Ross?
The typical homeowner in Ross pays $1,036 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.87% of the home’s value; in Lake County, the rate is 0.92%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Ross?
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.
