Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Chicago?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Chicago?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/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 $1,440 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 17% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,186

+39% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,258

+29% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,406

+35% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,554

+41% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$315,200

+59% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$75,134

+17% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$54,720

+2% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

35.7 yr

+0.2 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

45.5%

+0.4 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

43.3%

+14.5 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

28.2 min

33.5 min

+5.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

539.8

+10% in Anaheim, CA

Property Crime

2,234.6

3,489.9

+56% in Chicago, IL

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

52.7°F

+14.4°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

38.0 in

+24.5 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.89/gal

$4.82/gal

+18% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.50

+25% in Chicago, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

18.9

+43% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$12.10

+42% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.14

+5% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.79

+15% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$3.63

+61% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.97

+4% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$2.15

+1% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.63

+15% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / IL)

7.25%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

4.95%

+8.4 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Chicago?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Chicago?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).