CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Fort Wayne is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 22.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $98,100 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+135.7%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.0%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.3%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.2%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+84.0%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$98,100
$18,100 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 1.2268. 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×

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Clarita has 135.7% 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
228,673
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

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)

Santa Clarita, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.