Median rent is 10% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,082/mo). Buying is cheaper in Anaheim, where the median home runs $771,700 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Anaheim ($90,583 vs $80,366 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (113.3).
City A
Anaheim, CA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Anaheim, CA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Anaheim
California
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,082/mo in Anaheim (10% gap). Median home values are within 12% of each other: $771,700 in Anaheim and $879,500 in Los Angeles.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so Los Angeles is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; Los Angeles has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Anaheim
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 77.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 80.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Anaheim if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,583/yr).
Is Anaheim cheaper than Los Angeles?
Anaheim is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.3 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Anaheim.
How much is rent in Anaheim vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,082/mo in Anaheim, CA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Anaheim or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Anaheim, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 77.0 AQI versus 80.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Anaheim or Los Angeles?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Anaheim income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anaheim, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology