Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Missoula?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,100/mo est.

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/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 $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 28% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$755

+61% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$953

+46% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,176

+46% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,676

+37% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$427,400

+45% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$65,329

+28% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$47,830

+14% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

47.8%

+1.9 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

51.7%

+22.9 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

28.2 min

16.6 min

+11.6 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

601.9

+1% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

2,234.9

3,685.2

+65% in Missoula, MT

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

45.9°F

+21.2°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

14.1 in

+0.7 in in Missoula, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.53/gal

$4.27/gal

+23% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

34.7

15.1

+56% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.33

$10.12

+50% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MT)

7.25%

None

+7.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.65%

+7.7 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Anaheim, CA's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Missoula?: 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 Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Missoula?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).