CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Fort Wayne is significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 16.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $93,100 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+93.1%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+11.6%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.2%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+79.6%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$93,100
$13,100 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 1.1641. 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 Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Santa Rosa has 93.1% 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

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
178,127
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureTourismTechnologyRetail

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 Rosa, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.