Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Newark?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 47% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,111

+42% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$978

+45% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,386

+36% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,695

+36% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$337,800

+56% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$48,416

+47% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$61,430

+10% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.8 yr

+1.1 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

24.1%

+21.8 pp in Anaheim, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

17.4%

+11.4 pp in Anaheim, CA

Avg Commute

28.2 min

33.2 min

+5.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.7

582.5

+3% in Anaheim, CA

Property Crime

2,234.9

1,961.8

+12% in Anaheim, CA

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

54.9°F

+12.2°F in Anaheim, CA

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

46.3 in

+32.8 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.86/gal

+28% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

23.3

+30% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$15.93

+23% 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

$1.92

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Anaheim, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / NJ)

7.25%

6.625%

+0.6 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

10.75%

+2.6 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Newark?: 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 Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Newark?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).