Fort Wayne vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fort Wayne, Indiana compare to Los Angeles, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Fort Wayne is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 81% lower in Fort Wayne compared to Los Angeles, while rent is 50% lower. State income tax is 3.05% in IN vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | Los Angeles, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $152,500 | $822,600 | -81.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $904 | $1,791 | -49.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $58,233 | $76,244 | -23.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,910 | $43,527 | -26.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 3.0% | 13.3% | -77.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 8.7% | -19.4% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 264,514 | 3,881,041 | -93.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fort Wayne
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Los Angeles
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fort Wayne costs $152,500 compared to $822,600 in Los Angeles — a 81% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $904/mo in Fort Wayne vs $1,791/mo in Los Angeles.
- Income: Median household income is $58,233 in Fort Wayne and $76,244 in Los Angeles.
- Taxes: State income tax is 3.05% in Indiana vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).