Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Columbia?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,100/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,100 in Anaheim, CA versus $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 39% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$802

+58% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,026

+42% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,164

+46% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,338

+50% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$243,500

+68% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$55,653

+39% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$46,430

+17% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

28.7 yr

+7.2 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

47.3%

+1.4 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

46.1%

+17.3 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

28.2 min

17.4 min

+10.8 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

769.9

+29% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

2,234.9

3,265.1

+46% in Columbia, SC

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

64.9°F

+2.2°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

45.4 in

+32.0 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.53/gal

$3.94/gal

+29% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

34.7

15.6

+55% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.33

$29.07

+43% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / SC)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

6.00%

+7.3 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Columbia?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).