Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Houston?

Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Houston?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Houston, TX is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 31% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,142

+41% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,156

+34% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,375

+37% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,664

+37% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$253,400

+67% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$62,894

+31% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$49,410

+12% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

42.0%

+3.9 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

36.0%

+7.2 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

28.2 min

27.3 min

+0.9 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

1,153.8

+93% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

2,234.9

4,324.9

+94% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+3.2°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

54.6 in

+41.2 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.52/gal

+35% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.25

+38% in Anaheim, CA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

16.4

+51% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$30.48

+47% in Houston, TX

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 Houston, TX

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 / TX)

7.25%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

None

+13.3 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Houston?: Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Houston?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).