Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
19%
Valparaiso, IN Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,284
Population
35,331
Renter Mix
41% Rent
Valpo truly has something for everyone
Vibrant
•
College Town
•
Suburban
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.
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 September 2026, the average apartment rent in Valparaiso, IN is $947 for a studio, $1,274 for one bedroom, $1,428 for two bedrooms, and $1,924 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Valparaiso has increased by 4.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,274/month
737 Sq Ft
House
$2,546/month
2,119 Sq Ft
Learn More About Valparaiso
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Valparaiso, IN is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Minimal Public Transit
Transit
10
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
348 Students
Public
Grades K-5
479 Students
Public
Grades K-5
434 Students
Cooks Corners Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
487 Students
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
285 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
333 Students
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
823 Students
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
632 Students
Washington Twp Middle/High School
Public
Grades 6-12
456 Students
Morgan Township Middle/High School
Public
Grades 6-12
440 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,089 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
467 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
387 Students
Washington Twp Middle/High School
Public
Grades 6-12
456 Students
Morgan Township Middle/High School
Public
Grades 6-12
440 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Ogden Gardens Park
- Sunset Hill Farm County Park
- Taltree Arboretum & Gardens
- Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
Commuter Rail
Top Apartments in Valparaiso
Houses for Rent in Valparaiso
Search Nearby Rentals
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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 September 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.