What is the cost of living in Portage, IN?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Portage has an overall cost of living index of 96, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Indiana, Portage has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Indiana's index of 90.
The standard of living in Portage ranks as #99 most affordable out of the 129 places we measured in Indiana. By definition, that implies Portage ranks as the #30 most expensive place in the Hoosier State.
For more reading on life in Portage, check out:
Portage Cost Of Living Vs. Indiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Portage. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Portage is 98.
The Groceries index in Portage is 99.
The Health index in Portage is 89.
The Housing index in Portage is 97.
The Transportation index in Portage is 96.
The Utilities index in Portage is 95.
| Living Expense | Portage | Indiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 96 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 89 | 72 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 96 | 100 |
Portage Cost Of Living Compared To Indiana Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Indiana, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Portage Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Portage, IN Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Indiana, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Portage is $264,578.
The Median Rent in Portage is $1,231.
The Median Income in Portage is $76,276.
The Home Value To Income in Portage is 3.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Portage is 0.19x.
Portage, IN Costs By Category
Detailed Portage Services costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Portage Groceries costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Portage Health costs vs. Indiana
Detailed Portage Transportation costs vs. Indiana
Portage SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Portage
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Portage. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Valparaiso, IN has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Portage.
Crown Point, IN has a cost of living index of 103, 1.1x Portage.
Lansing, IL has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x Portage.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Portage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso, IN | 34,733 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Crown Point, IN | 34,393 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Lansing, IL | 28,284 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Munster, IN | 23,733 | 104 | 1.1x |
| Dyer, IN | 16,400 | 107 | 1.1x |
| Griffith, IN | 16,273 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Chesterton, IN | 14,446 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Lake Station, IN | 13,185 | 84 | 0.9x |
| Lynwood, IL | 9,083 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Lakes of the Four Seasons, IN | 7,402 | 109 | 1.1x |
