Cost of Living: Indianapolis vs Los Angeles (2026)

Indianapolis vs Los Angeles cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Los Angeles is about 19% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $118,674 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is about 19% more expensive than Indianapolis overall — $100,000 in Indianapolis is worth about $118,674 in Los Angeles.

Indianapolis vs Los Angeles: the numbers

MetricIndianapolisLos AngelesDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)96114+19%
Median rent$1,112$1,879+69%
Median home value$207,000$879,500+325%
Median household income$62,995$80,366+28%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Indianapolis has the same buying power as about $118,674 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $84,265 in Indianapolis.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Indianapolis and Los Angeles.

Compare any salary: Indianapolis vs Los Angeles

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 96 — a 19% difference. Your money goes further in Indianapolis.

About $118,674 — that's what you'd need in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Indianapolis.