Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Memphis?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 43% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$877

+55% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$948

+46% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,073

+51% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,281

+52% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$157,100

+80% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$51,211

+43% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$46,890

+16% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

46.0%

+0.1 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

28.2%

+0.6 pp in Anaheim, CA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

21.3 min

+6.9 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

2,507.5

+320% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,234.6

6,965.8

+212% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+4.0°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

53.7 in

+40.3 in in Memphis, TN

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 MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

15.1

+55% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$15.54

+25% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Anaheim, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Anaheim, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Anaheim, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Anaheim, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / TN)

7.25%

+0.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

None

+13.3 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Memphis?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).