Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Boston?

Anaheim, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $2,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Boston?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Anaheim, CA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 4% higher in Boston, MA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,890

+2% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,978

+12% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$2,155

+1% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$2,234

+16% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$710,400

+8% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$94,755

+5% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$66,620

+19% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

33.2 yr

+2.7 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

35.4%

+10.5 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

54.1%

+25.3 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

30.2 min

+2.0 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

630.2

+5% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,234.9

2,030.8

+9% 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

51.5°F

+15.6°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

43.8 in

+30.3 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.95/gal

+27% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Massachusetts.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

28.8

+13% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$31.39

+51% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MA)

7.25%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

9.00%

+4.3 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Boston?: Anaheim, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $2,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Boston?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% 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).