Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Denver?

Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Denver?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Denver, CO is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 1% higher in Denver, CO. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,497

+22% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,583

+10% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,958

+10% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$2,269

+14% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$586,700

+24% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$91,681

+1% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$62,320

+12% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

35.2 yr

+0.7 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

49.1%

+3.2 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

55.6%

+26.8 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

28.2 min

25.4 min

+2.8 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

998.3

+67% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

2,234.6

4,781.9

+114% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+16.9°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

15.6 in

+2.2 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.89/gal

$4.58/gal

+22% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Denver, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

16.7

+50% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$11.64

+44% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / CO)

7.25%

2.9%

+4.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

4.40%

+8.9 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Denver?: Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Denver?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).