Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Dover?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $42,000 in Dover.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Dover?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Dover Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,100/mo est.

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $58,336 in Dover, DE — about 36% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Dover, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$993

+49% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,047

+41% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,185

+45% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,634

+38% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$248,500

+68% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$58,336

+36% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$46,690

+16% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

35.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

47.0%

+1.1 pp in Dover, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

27.1%

+1.7 pp in Anaheim, CA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

24.0 min

+4.2 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

1,025.3

+72% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

2,234.9

6,159.1

+176% in Dover, DE

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

56.9°F

+10.2°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

46.0 in

+32.6 in in Dover, DE

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

19.3

+44% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.33

$29.73

+46% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 / DE)

7.25%

None

+7.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

6.60%

+6.7 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Dover — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Dover?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Dover?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $42,000 in Dover.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Dover?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).