Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Columbus?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 37% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$826

+57% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$875

+50% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$991

+54% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,221

+54% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$182,300

+76% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$56,622

+37% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$43,540

+22% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

35.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

50.2%

+4.3 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

29.7%

+0.9 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

20.2 min

+8.0 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

612.3

+2% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,234.9

2,273.4

+2% in Columbus, GA

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

65.7°F

+1.4°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

46.8 in

+33.3 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.86/gal

+28% 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)

33.3

15.8

+52% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$33.28

+61% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 / GA)

7.25%

+3.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.19%

+8.1 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Columbus?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).