Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Annapolis?

Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Annapolis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $64,000 in Annapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Annapolis?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Annapolis Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,090 in Anaheim, CA versus $1,820 in Annapolis, MD. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $104,257 in Annapolis, MD — about 13% higher in Annapolis, MD. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Annapolis, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,239

+36% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,598

+9% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,864

+14% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$2,232

+16% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$510,200

+34% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$104,257

+15% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$59,070

+6% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

40.9 yr

+5.0 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

45.9%

59.8%

+13.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

53.7%

+24.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.2 min

28.7 min

+0.5 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

806

+35% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,234.9

2,111.5

+6% in Anaheim, CA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

67.1°F

57.1°F

+10.0°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.86/gal

+28% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — OCTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

21.8

+35% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$18.94

+9% in Anaheim, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anaheim, CA

Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MD)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

6.50%

+6.8 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Annapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Annapolis?: Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Annapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $64,000 in Annapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Annapolis?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).