Living in Portage, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portage · Census data 2020–2024
Portage has 49,259 residents with a median age of 38.5. The median household income is $83,212 (14% higher than the Michigan median), the median home value is $262,300, the median rent is $1,133/month.
Portage at a glance
- Population
- 49,259
- Median age
- 38.5State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $83,212State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $262,300State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,133/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 69.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47.9%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Portage a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 14% higher than the Michigan median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 7.1%.
Cons: Home values 13% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portage
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portage the median home value is $262,300, 21% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,133 per month, which is 27.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,703 a month in housing costs.
Portage median household income
The median household income in Portage is $83,212 and the income per person is $46,784. 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Portage: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 21,881
- Owner-occupied
- 69.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 30.9%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.35
Portage demographics
- Population
- 49,259
- Median age
- 38.5
- Under 18
- 20.8%
- 65 and older
- 18%
- Households
- 20,844
- Foreign-born
- 5.9%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portage ›
Education in Portage
47.9% of adults 25 and older in Portage have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 19.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portage
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 13.7%
- Drive alone
- 78.1%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.8%
Portage vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | 49,259 | $83,212 | $262,300 | $1,133 |
| Kalamazoo | 73,076 | $52,272 | $179,000 | $1,078 |
| Vicksburg | 3,934 | $72,656 | $231,500 | $964 |
| Schoolcraft | 1,275 | $75,000 | $224,800 | $918 |
| Westwood | 8,867 | $58,205 | $193,400 | $1,233 |
| Eastwood | 6,669 | $53,977 | $160,600 | $1,065 |
| Scotts | 237 | $67,054 | $135,500 | — |
| Parchment | 2,008 | $72,798 | $184,000 | $1,045 |
| Comstock Northwest | 5,391 | $73,475 | $261,100 | $1,080 |
More for people moving to Portage
Portage ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portage: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portage, MI?
The median household income in Portage is $83,212, 14% higher than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Portage?
The median home value in Portage is $262,300, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Portage?
The median gross rent in Portage is $1,133 per month, about 27.3% of household income.
Is Portage, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 14% higher than the Michigan median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 7.1%. Minuses: home values 13% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Portage?
The median age in Portage is 38.5 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Portage?
The average commute to work in Portage is 20 minutes; 13.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portage?
The unemployment rate in Portage is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portage?
47.9% of adults in Portage have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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