Real Estate Investing in Portage, Indiana (46368)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Porter County • Population: 40,237 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46368 (Portage, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (80/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Portage, IN (46368)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $274,439
Avg Monthly Rent $1,505
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,188
% Renters 26.6%

Market Analysis: 46368 Portage

ZIP 46368 inside Porter County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $274K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $274K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 46368 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 46368 among IN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A significant renter share of 27% in 46368 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portage:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,505/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 46368

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$69,824/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $202,388 $1,330 4.7% +7.5% $101,194
3BR $256,240 $1,630 4.6% +7.1% $85,413
4BR $338,186 $1,760 3.7% +6.1% $84,546
5BR $349,121 +6.1% $69,824

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$286K$255K$224K$193K$162K$131KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,532$1,453$1,375$1,297$1,219$1,140Mar 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46368 Compare?

Metric 46368 Portage Indiana
Home Value $274,439 $274,439 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,505 $1,505 -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 46368? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46368 (Portage, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 46368 (Portage, IN)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $274,439
Monthly Rent $1,505
Price-to-Rent 15.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
5.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46368

Population: 40,237

💰 Median Household Income
$71,188
This area
$71,188
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.6%
This area
26.6%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.8 years
This area
38.8 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.4%
Other/Mixed 11.5%
Black/African American 9.1%
Hispanic/Latino 8.8%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.2%
This area
9.2%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 46368

B+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,156 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

William Fegely Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
613 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ethel R Jones Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
299 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Central Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Crisman Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
353 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

George L Myers Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Neighbors' New Vistas High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
130 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,282 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wallace Aylesworth Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
433 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Willowcreek Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
931 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B Good

Rowena Kyle Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
439 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
B Good

Portage High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,198 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,031 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

7 Nearby 222 Off-Campus Students
C
Indiana University-Northwest
3,045 students · 8.4 mi
D
Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College
40 students · 8.9 mi
F
College of Court Reporting Inc
191 students · 10.0 mi
C+
Valparaiso University
2,846 students · 11.1 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville
70 students · 11.2 mi
C
Denmark College
178 students · 12.2 mi
D
Stellar Career College-Crown Point
76 students · 13.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it like being a landlord in Portage, IN?

Portage, IN operates under IN law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How does Portage, IN rate as a rental market?

Yes - Portage, IN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $274K home prices against $1,505/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the median home value in Portage, IN?

The median home value in Portage, IN is roughly $274K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IN statewide average.

How much is rent in Portage, IN?

Investors in Portage, IN typically see rents near $1,505/mo per month against $274K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is the tenant base reliable in Portage, IN?

Portage, IN draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,505/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 46368 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 46368 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 46368 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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