Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Austin?

Austin, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $58,000 in Austin.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Austin?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Austin under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Austin Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Austin

Texas

$1,650/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 $1,650 in Austin, TX. Overall, Austin, TX is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $91,461 in Austin, TX — about 1% higher in Austin, TX. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Austin, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,348

+30% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,457

+17% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,776

+18% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$2,127

+20% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$512,700

+34% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$91,461

+1% in Austin, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$56,950

+2% in Austin, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.5 yr

+1.4 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

44.4%

+1.5 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

58.2%

+29.4 pp in Austin, TX

Avg Commute

28.2 min

24.0 min

+4.2 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

475.9

+20% in Anaheim, CA

Property Crime

2,234.6

3,290.2

+47% in Austin, TX

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

67.2°F

+0.1°F in Austin, TX

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

34.9 in

+21.5 in in Austin, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.89/gal

$3.96/gal

+33% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.25

+38% in Anaheim, CA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

16.4

+51% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$24.61

+19% in Austin, TX

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 / TX)

7.25%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

None

+13.3 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Austin — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Austin?: Austin, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Austin?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $58,000 in Austin.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Austin?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Austin under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).