Real Estate Investing in Lake Station, Indiana (46405)

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

Lake County • Population: 11,509 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46405 (Lake Station, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (90/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

A balanced market — moderate cash flow and moderate appreciation. A "steady" investor profile fits best.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Higher unemployment: 11.7% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Lake Station, IN (46405)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $159,257
Avg Monthly Rent $1,670
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $54,521
% Renters 30.3%

Market Analysis: 46405 Lake Station

ZIP 46405 inside Lake Station, IN plays the steady-hand role. Median home values stands at $159K, rents near $1,670/mo, and the trend line is consistent rather than flashy.

For core-plus portfolios, 46405 is the kind of ZIP that fills out the weighted average. notable on the fundamentals, light on the surprises.

In Lake County, ZIP 46405 reads as a dependable comp. Its numbers move in line with Lake Station averages, which is a an appealing option for signal for underwriters who value predictability.

Demographically, 46405 is the definition of a steady submarket. From a cash-flow lens, growth has been modest, attrition has been low, and the mix of owners and renters has not shifted meaningfully.

Core portfolios, patient capital, and first-time landlords all tend to find 46405 a sensible holding. That consistency across investor types is the defining strategic feature.

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 Lake Station:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,670/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 46405

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$48,502/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $125,456 $1,350 7.7% +11.5% $62,728
3BR $166,212 $1,650 7.1% +9.6% $55,404
4BR $194,008 $1,790 6.6% +9.3% $48,502

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$168K$143K$118K$93K$68K$43KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,674$1,662$1,649$1,636$1,624$1,611Jun 2026Jul 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46405 Compare?

Metric 46405 Lake Station Indiana
Home Value $159,257 $159,257 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.0% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,670 $1,670 -
Cap Rate 8.2% 8.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 46405? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,670/mo on homes averaging $159,257 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46405 (Lake Station, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Lake County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Rose Real Estate offers property management and real estate services in Munster, Northwest Indiana, and Chicagoland areas, including residential, association, and commercial management. summary from their website

Single-familyHOACommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Caribou Property Management offers property management services. summary from their website

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Great Oaks Realty and Property Management, LLC is a full-service real estate and property management company that helps with home buying, selling, and property management. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.2%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $159,257
Monthly Rent $1,670
Price-to-Rent 8.0:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.6%
Cap Rate 8.2%
5-Year IRR 15.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +10.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.2%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
7.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46405

Population: 11,509

💰 Median Household Income
$54,521
This area
$54,521
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.9 years
This area
35.9 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.9%
This area
7.9%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.9%
Other/Mixed 23.3%
Hispanic/Latino 18.8%
Black/African American 3.4%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
23.6%
This area
23.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.4%
This area
13.4%
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 46405

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$13,261 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Virgil I Bailey Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,329 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
227 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,329 Per Student
B Good

Henry S Evans Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
B Good

Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
614 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,329 Per Student

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Banneker Elementary at Marquette

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 6401 Hemlock Ave, Gary
👥
276 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,286 Per Student
A Very Good

Gary Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 301 Parke St, Gary
👥
324 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,286 Per Student
C+ Average

Charter School of the Dunes

📚 K – 08 School Charter
📍 7300 East Melton Rd, Gary
👥
674 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$10,899 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

8 Nearby 491 Off-Campus Students
C
Indiana University-Northwest
3,045 students · 4.0 mi
D
Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College
40 students · 4.8 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville
70 students · 7.9 mi
C
Denmark College
178 students · 8.7 mi
D
Stellar Career College-Crown Point
76 students · 10.0 mi
C
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Highland
317 students · 10.6 mi
C+
Purdue University Northwest
8,679 students · 10.9 mi
C+
Don Roberts School of Hair Design
30 students · 11.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What monthly rent should investors expect in Lake Station, IN?

Rental rates in Lake Station, IN average $1,670/mo. Tenant demand and $159K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Does house hacking make sense in Lake Station, IN?

House hacking in Lake Station, IN is reasonable to execute. Prices around $159K and rents of $1,670/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How does Lake Station, IN rate as a rental market?

Lake Station, IN scores 5.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $159K and rents near $1,670/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Lake Station, IN?

Expect median prices around $159K in Lake Station, IN. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

Is Lake Station, IN a friendly market for rental owners?

Lake Station, IN falls under IN landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

You know 46405 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 46405 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 46405 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

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