Median rent is 41% lower in Indianapolis ($1,112/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Indianapolis, where the median home runs $207,000 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $62,995 a year).
City A
Indianapolis, IN
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Indianapolis, IN?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Indianapolis
Indiana
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Indianapolis — median rent of $1,112/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 41% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $207,000 in Indianapolis — 76% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Indiana's top income tax rate is 3.05% versus 13.30% in California, so Indianapolis is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Indiana and 7.25% in California; Indianapolis has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Indianapolis
Income tax: 3.05%
Sales tax: 7.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Indianapolis has cleaner air on average: 29.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,112/mo median).
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 29.0).
Pick Indianapolis if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.05%).
Is Indianapolis cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Indianapolis vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,112/mo in Indianapolis, IN and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Indianapolis, IN has the lower rent by about 41%.
Which has higher salaries — Indianapolis or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Indianapolis, IN has better air quality on average: 29.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Indianapolis or Los Angeles?
Indiana's top income tax rate is 3.05% and California's is 13.30%. Indianapolis, IN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Indianapolis income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology