Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Cincinnati?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Cincinnati Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH — about 43% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Cincinnati, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$791

+59% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$817

+54% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,023

+53% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,228

+54% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$215,300

+72% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$51,707

+43% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$50,170

+10% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

33.0 yr

+2.9 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

38.9%

+7.0 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

41.3%

+12.5 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

28.2 min

23.1 min

+5.1 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

856.5

+43% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

2,234.9

3,877.7

+74% in Cincinnati, OH

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

54.3°F

+12.8°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

41.9 in

+28.5 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$4.18/gal

+23% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

19.5

+41% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$22.83

+10% in Cincinnati, OH

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

$1.66

+19% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / OH)

7.25%

5.75%

+1.5 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

2.75%

+10.6 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Cincinnati — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Cincinnati?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Cincinnati?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Cincinnati?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).