Living Cost Compare
Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

vs
Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 10% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,929
$1,021
+47% in Anaheim, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,764
$1,133
+36% in Anaheim, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,171
$1,342
+38% in Anaheim, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,653
$1,749
+34% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$771,700
$456,000
+41% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$90,583
$81,308
+10% in Anaheim, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$49,100
+12% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
38.2 yr
+2.3 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
45.9%
63.0%
+17.1 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.8%
46.6%
+17.8 pp in Boise, ID
Avg Commute
28.2 min
19.1 min
+9.1 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
597.7
301
+50% in Anaheim, CA
Property Crime
2,234.9
1,135.1
+49% 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
52.5°F
+14.6°F in Anaheim, CA
Annual Precipitation
13.4 in
11.7 in
+1.7 in in Anaheim, CA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.40/gal
$4.29/gal
+21% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.3
12.3
+63% in Anaheim, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$10.82
+48% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / ID)
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
5.30%
+8.0 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Boise?
Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Boise?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Boise?
Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).