Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Frederick?

Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Frederick?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Frederick, MD is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 5% higher in Frederick, MD. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,658

+14% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,418

+20% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,661

+23% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,863

+30% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$365,200

+53% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$95,150

+5% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$71,060

+27% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

37.1 yr

+1.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

45.9%

59.2%

+13.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

41.8%

+13.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

28.2 min

30.1 min

+1.9 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

406

+32% in Anaheim, CA

Property Crime

2,234.9

1,696.3

+24% in Anaheim, CA

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

52.1°F

+15.0°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

—

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

21.8

+35% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$18.94

+9% in Anaheim, CA

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 Frederick, MD

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 / MD)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

6.50%

+6.8 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Frederick?: Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Frederick?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).