Indianapolis vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Indianapolis has an edge
Indianapolis shows stronger fundamentals for buying with a 6-year break-even point.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$305,000
Median RentBETTER
$1,700/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
15.0
Property Tax Rate
0.85%
Price Change (1Y)
+4.5%
Price Change (5Y)
+22.0%
Break-Even YearsBETTER
6 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$35,000
Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Rent
$2,850/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.5
Property Tax RateBETTER
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+5.3%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+39.0%
Break-Even Years
13 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$80,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Indianapolis's median home price of $305,000 is lower than Los Angeles's $770,000 by 60%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Indianapolis costs $1,700/mo compared to $2,850/mo in Los Angeles—a difference of $1,150/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Indianapolis favors buying, while Los Angeles favors renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 6 years in Indianapolis vs 13 years in Los Angeles.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.