salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,520 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 78 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Portage?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Portage
| Size | Portage | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,075 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,103 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,310 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,921 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,270 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Portage overall?
Everyday prices in the Kalamazoo-Portage metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Portage
Life in Portage
What jobs pay in Portage
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | 10.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,570 | 11.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,460 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $118,100 | 12.6% |
| Lawyer | $112,400 | 13.2% |
| Operations Manager | $100,160 | 14.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,060 | 15.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,740 | 15.8% |
| Plumber | $90,730 | 16.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $88,200 | 16.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,670 | 18.6% |
| Accountant | $77,140 | 19.3% |
| Police Officer | $74,810 | 19.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,320 | 22.4% |
| Electrician | $65,690 | 22.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,450 | 23.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,820 | 24.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,270 | 24.2% |
| Carpenter | $61,060 | 24.3% |
| Truck Driver | $55,880 | 26.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,690 | 31.8% |
| Firefighter | $45,480 | 32.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,350 | 33.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,130 | 33.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,500 | 37.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,760 | 39.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,760 | 40.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,660 | 44.1% |
| Cashier | $29,820 | 49.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Portage?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $582 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $262,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Portage, MI?
Renting in Portage costs a median of about $1,238 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Portage?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,520 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Portage cheap or expensive?
Portage is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.6% of the typical household income of $89,744. It ranks 78th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Portage?
The median homeowner in Portage pays $4,082 a year in property taxes, about 1.56% of the median home value.
Is Portage more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Portage?
The median home value in Portage is $262,300, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
49,259 people live in Portage. Numbers are typical (middle) values.