Huntington Beach vs Fort Wayne: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Huntington Beach, California compare to Fort Wayne, Indiana? 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 541% higher in Huntington Beach compared to Fort Wayne, while rent is 156% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 3.05% in IN.
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Fort Wayne, IN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $976,800 | $152,500 | +540.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,318 | $904 | +156.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $114,747 | $58,233 | +97.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $60,654 | $31,910 | +90.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 3.0% | +336.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7.0% | +24.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 197,481 | 264,514 | -25.3% |
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 — Huntington Beach
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Huntington Beach costs $976,800 compared to $152,500 in Fort Wayne — a 541% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,318/mo in Huntington Beach vs $904/mo in Fort Wayne.
- Income: Median household income is $114,747 in Huntington Beach and $58,233 in Fort Wayne.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 3.05% in Indiana.
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).