Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fort Wayne to Los Angeles
Comparing Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Los Angeles, California, using 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct housing and economic trade-offs. Fort Wayne offers a population of 268,589, a median household income of $61,422, a median gross rent of $999, and a home value of $188,900 with a 23-minute commute. Conversely, Los Angeles hosts 3,857,263 residents with a median household income of $81,939, but features much higher costs, including a median gross rent of $1,933, a home value of $921,200, a 33-minute commute, and a simplified state income tax of 9.30%. Neither city provides a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → Fort WayneMoving from Fort Wayne to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$934/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$11,208 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+10 min / day
Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTFOR → LAX
33/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$9,240after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Fort Wayne is about $11,208 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Fort Wayne household income$61,422
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Fort Wayne gross rent$999
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 268,589 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $61,422 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $999 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $188,900 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Fort Wayne and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median gross rent differences
- Owner-occupied home value gap
- Derived one-way commute times
- State income tax application
What each city wins
Fort Wayne
Rent consumes under 20% of median income locally.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job access or amenities..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do median gross rents compare between Fort Wayne and Los Angeles?
According to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Fort Wayne has a median gross rent of $999 per month, while Los Angeles has a median gross rent of $1,933 per month.
What are the population and income differences in the 2024 ACS data?
Fort Wayne has an estimated population of 268,589 and a median household income of $61,422. Los Angeles has a population of 3,857,263 and a median household income of $81,939.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.