In South Haven, a typical home is worth $178,200 and typical rent is $1,297 a month. Compared with all of Porter County, the typical home value is 37% lower, typical household income is 14% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points lower.
South Haven is in Porter 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 Porter County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in South Haven is worth $178,200,37% less than in Porter County as a whole ($281,500).
2
Nearby, in Lake Station, the typical home value is $137,400: 23% less than in South Haven ($178,200).
3
Nearby, in Porter, the typical rent is $1,026: 21% less than in South Haven ($1,297).
4
South Haven has the 10th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 120 cities in Indiana with more than 5,000 people (37%).
5
72% of households in South Haven own their home, against 78% in Porter County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in South Haven
What homes there are in South Haven, 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
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Kind of home: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Detached house
85%
75%
73%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
5%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
11%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
5%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in South Haven: 85% of homes, more than in Porter County (75%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Year built: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Before 1960
7%
19%
31%
26%
1960–1979
73%
29%
24%
24%
1980–1999
9%
28%
23%
25%
2000–2009
8%
14%
12%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
10%
10%
11%
In South Haven, half of the homes were built before 1972; in Porter County, before 1982.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K63%
$200K–$300K31%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
63%
$200K–$300K
31%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49951%
$1,500–$1,99913%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
51%
$1,500–$1,999
13%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,344 a month
Porter County: $1,653 a month
Without a mortgage
$534 a month
Porter County: $611 a month
Owners with a mortgage
75%
Porter County: 67%
Owning costs less in South Haven: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,344 a month; in Porter County, $1,653. Without one, $534.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
South Haven+48%
Porter County+52%
Indiana+54%
United States+53%
Typical rent
South Haven+36%
Porter County+31%
Indiana+29%
United States+33%
Typical household income
South Haven+42%
Porter County+24%
Indiana+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Typical home value
+48%
+52%
+54%
+53%
Typical rent
+36%
+31%
+29%
+33%
Typical household income
+42%
+24%
+28%
+29%
The typical home value in South Haven rose 48% since 2015–2019, less than in Porter County (52%).
The typical rent in South Haven rose 36% over the same time; in Porter County, it rose 31%.
The typical household income in South Haven rose 42% over that time; home values changed +48% and rent +36%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: South Haven and its comparisons
Measure
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.8%
5.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.4%
1.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.78
2.50
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
89%
81%
76%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
5%
10%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in South Haven has 2.78 people, more than in Porter County (2.50).
The car rules in South Haven: 89% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in South Haven?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in South Haven, worth $178,200, 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 South Haven, which is $76,003 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Porter 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 South Haven. 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 $6,237 (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
$1,435
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$174,972
Total interest
$251,744
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,009 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,773 a month
Your payment · 23%
Tight
$1,773 to $2,280 a month
Hard
more than $2,280 a month
Compared with the typical household income in South Haven ($76,003 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,185
Property tax
$97
Home insurance
$74
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$79
You need at least $6,237 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 $1,435; principal and interest $1,185.
The city and its county
South Haven and Porter County
South Haven is in Porter 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).
South Haven
Map of Porter County, Indiana, with South Haven marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
South Haven
Porter County
Other cities with a page
South Haven's own numbers
Typical home value
$178,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,297
Typical yearly household income
$76,003
Households that own their home
72%
Effective property tax rate
0.65%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Porter 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
0.4%
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 Porter County.
A typical home in South Haven is worth $178,200: 37% below the county and 18% below Indiana. With the typical household income in South Haven ($76,003 a year), a typical home costs 2.3 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.
South Haven2.3 years
Porter3.2 years
Indiana3.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Porter County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Porter County rose 78% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Porter County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Porter County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.3% +2.3% 2016
2017: +2.6% +2.6% 2017
2018: +6.2% +6.2% 2018
2019: +4.3% +4.3% 2019
2020: +3.7% +3.7% 2020
2021: +12.3% +12.3% 2021
2022: +13.7% +13.7% 2022
2023: +7.5% +7.5% 2023
2024: +3.9% +3.9% 2024
2025: +3.6% +3.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Porter County, Indiana and the United States
Period
County
Indiana
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.6%
+4.3%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+48%
+53%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+78%
+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
South Haven next to Porter 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
South Haven$178,200
Porter$281,500
Indiana$218,200
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
South Haven$1,297
Porter$1,219
Indiana$1,062
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
South Haven$76,003
Porter$87,972
Indiana$71,957
United States$80,734
See the full table
South Haven next to Porter County and Indiana
Measure
South Haven
Porter County
Indiana
U.S.
Typical home value
$178,200 ▼37% below the county
$281,500
$218,200
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,297 ▲6% above the county
$1,219
$1,062
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$76,003 ▼14% below the county
$87,972
$71,957
$80,734
Households that own their home
72% ▼5 points below the county
78%
71%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,164 ▼50% below the county
$2,326
$1,614
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.65% ▼0.18 points below the county
0.83%
0.74%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
37% ▼14 points below the county
51%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Porter 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 South Haven
For a typical $178,200 home in South Haven, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, South Haven's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,435a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,237
Cash to close
$11,583
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $79
Conventional, 5% down$1,402a month
Down payment
$8,910
Cash to close
$14,256
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $85
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,137a month
Down payment
$35,640
Cash to close
$40,986
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,301a month
Down payment
$26,730
Cash to close
$32,076
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in South Haven
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,435
$6,237
$174,972
7.18%
FHA MIP · $79
$11,583
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,402
$8,910
$169,290
7.18%
PMI · $85
$14,256
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,137
$35,640
$142,560
7.18%
None
$40,986
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,301
$26,730
$151,470
8.18%
None
$32,076
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 South Haven is $1,297 a month: 6% above the county. In South Haven, 37% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Porter 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 Porter 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
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in South Haven
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). South Haven is in ZIP code 46385.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,590: $161 more than the fair market rent for Porter County ($1,429).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in South Haven, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
46385
$1,240
$1,310
$1,590
$1,940
$2,110
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
46385 $1,590$1,940
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for South Haven 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 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
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 Porter County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for South Haven or Porter County. The ones below are statewide in Indiana: they work in South Haven 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 South Haven or Porter 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 South Haven and all of Porter 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 South Haven?
The typical home value in South Haven is $178,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Porter County it is $281,500.
How much does it cost to rent in South Haven?
Typical rent in South Haven is $1,297 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Porter County is $1,429.
What is the FHA loan limit in South Haven?
South Haven uses the FHA limit for all of Porter 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 South Haven?
The typical homeowner in South Haven pays $1,164 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.65% of the home’s value; in Porter County, the rate is 0.83%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in South Haven?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Porter County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
