CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Fort Wayne is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 12.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $89,900 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+50.1%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+11.6%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.2%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+76.7%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fort Wayne to see what you'd need to earn in Modesto to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$89,900
$9,900 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 1.1242. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
72.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 50.1% higher housing costs compared to Fort Wayne.

Income & Job Market

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
270,402
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetailGovernment

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fort Wayne, IN
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.