Valparaiso

Lincolnway is a beautiful street that is the heart of shopping and dining in Valparaiso.
Rows of beautiful ranch style homes can be found in the Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso.
Valparaiso University is centrally located in Valparaiso and is just a short walk from downtown.
Walkable streets make Valparaiso a great place for shopping and eating out.
Forest Park Golf Course is a beautiful 18 hole public golf course in Valparaiso.

Valparaiso, IN Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,250

Population

35,331

Renter Mix

41% Rent

Valpo truly has something for everyone

Vibrant College Town Suburban Artistic Family-Friendly Welcoming Convenient Dynamic

Tucked into the rolling terrain of Porter County, Valparaiso — affectionately called Valpo by locals — sits just an hour south of Chicago and carries a small-city energy all its own. Downtown buzzes with independent shops and eateries clustered around a lively central square, while Taltree Arboretum and Gardens offers a peaceful retreat for anyone craving fresh air and open space. Valparaiso University anchors a strong academic presence, and the annual Popcorn Festival draws massive crowds each fall to celebrate one of the city's most beloved and long-standing traditions.

Renters will find a welcoming mix of housing options throughout the city, from cozy townhomes and garden-style apartment communities to newer multi-story buildings closer to downtown. The rental market leans more affordable than neighboring metro areas, making it a solid option for those who want proximity to Chicago without the price tag. Whether you're drawn to the Memorial Opera House for live performances, the trails near Indiana Dunes National Park, or simply the ease of a walkable downtown, Valpo rewards those who take the time to settle in and explore.

Explore the City

Valparaiso University is centrally located in Valparaiso and is just a short walk from downtown.

Walkable streets make Valparaiso a great place for shopping and eating out.

Forest Park Golf Course is a beautiful 18 hole public golf course in Valparaiso.

Young families can be found walking throughout downtown Valparaiso.

Many restaurants and shops can be found in downtown Valparaiso.

Residents love walking their dogs in Valparaiso.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$63,238

Average: $88,140

Education

11,704

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

17,174

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

38 Years

Largest Age Group

20-29 Years

Approximately 16% of Residents

Under 20

23%

Over 65

19%

Housing Distribution

Valparaiso has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
41%
Non-Renters
59%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
28%
Other Education
72%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Valparaiso, IN is $940 for a studio, $1,250 for one bedroom, $1,406 for two bedrooms, and $1,869 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Valparaiso has decreased by -1.4% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,250/month
735 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Valparaiso, IN

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Minimal Public Transit

Transit

10 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

Jackson Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

315 Students

Memorial Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

477 Students

Union Center Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

413 Students

Heavilin Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

505 Students

Cooks Corners Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

470 Students

Washington Twp Middle/High School

Public

Grades 6-12

439 Students

Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

821 Students

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

640 Students

Morgan Township Middle/High School

Public

Grades 6-12

435 Students

Union Township Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

324 Students

Valparaiso High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,098 Students

Wheeler High School

Public

Grades 9-12

434 Students

Washington Twp Middle/High School

Public

Grades 6-12

439 Students

Boone Grove High School

Public

Grades 9-12

486 Students

Morgan Township Middle/High School

Public

Grades 6-12

435 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Valparaiso

Houses for Rent in Valparaiso

Property Management Companies in Valparaiso, IN

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.