Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Atlanta?

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $63,000 in Atlanta.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Atlanta?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Atlanta under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Atlanta Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/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 $1,740 in Atlanta, GA. Overall, Atlanta, GA is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $81,938 in Atlanta, GA — about 10% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Atlanta, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,669

+13% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,576

+11% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,701

+22% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,557

+41% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$420,600

+45% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$81,938

+10% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$51,170

+8% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.0 yr

+1.9 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

46.3%

+0.4 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

58.4%

+29.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

26.8 min

+1.4 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

603.5

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

2,234.6

3,548.3

+59% in Atlanta, GA

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

62.6°F

+4.5°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

49.7 in

+36.3 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.89/gal

$4.30/gal

+27% in Anaheim, CA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.50

+25% in Atlanta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

15.0

+55% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$18.41

+11% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Anaheim, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Anaheim, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / GA)

7.25%

+3.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.19%

+8.1 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Atlanta — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Atlanta?: Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Atlanta?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $63,000 in Atlanta.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Atlanta?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Atlanta under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).