Cost of Living in Portland, IN

Population 6,341 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

40
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Portland's median household income of $45,431 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (17% here).

Located 45 miles south of Fort Wayne, Portland falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than Fort Wayne's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 30
Rent 55

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Portland

The median home value in Portland is $90,600 — 70% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $722/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $45,431/year is 39% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Indiana's top state income tax rate is 3.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. Overall, Portland has a cost of living index of 40 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 60% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$90,600
70% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$162,480
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$722/mo
45% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$783
2 BR
$985
3 BR
$1,286
4 BR
$1,456
Owner-occupied 66.5%
Renter-occupied 33.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$722
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,336/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.2%
Carpooled
13.5%
Walked
1.7%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
3.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.0%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$45,431
39% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,875
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
1% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.0%
Graduate degree 4.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.2
Male median age 37.2
Female median age 40.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,147
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Portland, IN?

Portland has a cost index of 40 (100 = national average). It is 60% below the national average.

What is average rent in Portland, IN?

The median gross rent in Portland is $722 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Portland?

The median home value in Portland is $90,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Portland?

The median household income in Portland is $45,431 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Portland, IN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Portland is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.

Is Portland, IN affordable?

Yes, Portland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 40 — about 60% below the US national average of 100.

Portland at a Glance

Population
6,341
Median Income
$45,431
Home Value
$90,600
Median Rent
$722/mo
Unemployment
4.7%
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Indiana →
🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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