Lake County, IN at a glance
Median household income
$71,493$5,958 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Lake County, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Lake County, IN? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Gary, IN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $959 | $11,508 | $38,360 | 16.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,082 | $12,984 | $43,280 | 18.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,317 | $15,804 | $52,680 | 22.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,612 | $19,344 | $64,480 | 27.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,744 | $20,928 | $69,760 | 29.3% |
What a typical income covers in Lake County, IN
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $71,493 a year ($5,958 a month before tax).
What $71,493 leaves after Indiana taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Indiana tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Indiana
Living in Lake County, IN: common questions
What is the median household income in Lake County, IN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lake County, IN is $71,493 per year (approximately $5,958 per month).
What is the average rent in Lake County, IN?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $959 for a studio, $1,082 for one bedroom, $1,317 for two, $1,612 for three and $1,744 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Lake County, IN expensive to live in?
Prices there run 3.6% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lake County, IN?
To keep a $1,317 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $52,680 a year, or $4,390 a month. That is 74% of what the typical household in Lake County, IN earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Lake County, IN?
On the local median income of $71,493 ($5,958 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,979 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,787 for everything else and $1,192 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,317 takes 44% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Lake County, IN?
Homes in Indiana paid 17.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $158. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.