Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,688 in California versus $963 in Indiana. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 43% cheaper on rent than California, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $83,969 in California and $62,995 in Indiana — about 25% higher in California. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7.25%
7%
+0.3 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
2.95%
+10.4 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
$963
+43% in California
Median Home Value
$771,700
$207,000
+73% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$83,969
$62,995
+25% in California
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
53.2°F
+11.2°F in California
California vs Indiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in California or Indiana?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $963 runs about 43% below California's $1,688, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in California than in Indiana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in California versus $39,000 in Indiana.
- Which has lower taxes, California or Indiana?
- California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 9/1 cities we track in California/Indiana — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.