Living Cost Compare
Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/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 $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 30% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,929
$933
+52% in Anaheim, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,764
$963
+45% in Anaheim, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,171
$1,132
+48% in Anaheim, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,653
$1,304
+51% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$771,700
$207,000
+73% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$90,583
$62,995
+30% in Anaheim, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$49,340
+12% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
34.1 yr
+1.8 yr in Anaheim, CA
Homeownership
45.9%
55.3%
+9.4 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.8%
34.2%
+5.4 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
28.2 min
24.3 min
+3.9 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
597.4
936.6
+57% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
2,234.6
3,351.7
+50% in Indianapolis, IN

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
53.2°F
+13.9°F in Anaheim, CA
Annual Precipitation
13.4 in
42.4 in
+29.0 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.89/gal
$4.35/gal
+26% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$1.75
+13% in Anaheim, CA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
17.9
+46% in Anaheim, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$12.49
+40% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.14
+5% in Anaheim, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.79
+15% in Anaheim, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$3.63
+61% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.97
+4% in Anaheim, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$2.15
+1% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.63
+15% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / IN)
7.25%
7%
+0.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
2.95%
+10.4 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Indianapolis?
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 Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Indianapolis?
Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).