Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Baltimore?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $43,000 in Baltimore.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Baltimore?

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

Anaheim vs Baltimore Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Baltimore, MD. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $59,623 in Baltimore, MD — about 34% higher in Anaheim, CA. 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

Baltimore, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,050

+46% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,073

+39% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,353

+38% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,555

+41% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$219,300

+72% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$59,623

+34% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$59,070

+6% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

36.1 yr

+0.2 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

45.9%

47.5%

+1.6 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

35.4%

+6.6 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

28.2 min

29.4 min

+1.2 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

1,616.7

+171% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

2,234.6

4,202.6

+88% in Baltimore, MD

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

61.4°F

+5.7°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

42.4 in

+29.0 in in Baltimore, MD

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

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

35.9

+7% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$17.19

+17% 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 / MD)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

6.50%

+6.8 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Baltimore?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Baltimore?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $43,000 in Baltimore.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Baltimore?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Baltimore 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).