Living Cost Compare
Anaheim

California

$2,100/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/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 $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Grand Rapids, MI is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 28% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$1,929
$992
+49% in Anaheim, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,764
$964
+45% in Anaheim, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,171
$1,206
+44% in Anaheim, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,653
$1,421
+46% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$771,700
$225,500
+71% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$90,583
$65,526
+28% in Anaheim, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$47,570
+15% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
32.1 yr
+3.8 yr in Anaheim, CA
Homeownership
45.9%
54.6%
+8.7 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.8%
40.1%
+11.3 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
28.2 min
19.4 min
+8.8 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
597.7
910.1
+52% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,234.9
2,506.2
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI

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
49.1°F
+18.0°F in Anaheim, CA
Annual Precipitation
13.4 in
38.3 in
+24.8 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.53/gal
$3.85/gal
+30% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
34.7
23.0
+34% in Anaheim, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.33
$19.72
+3% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Anaheim, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Anaheim, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Anaheim, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MI)
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
4.25%
+9.1 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,200 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Grand Rapids?
Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Grand Rapids under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).