Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Phoenix?

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $50,000 in Phoenix.

Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Phoenix?

Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Anaheim vs Phoenix Cost of Living 2026

Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 15% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA

Phoenix, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,929

$1,127

+42% in Anaheim, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,764

$1,253

+29% in Anaheim, CA

2 Bedroom

$2,171

$1,493

+31% in Anaheim, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,653

$1,771

+33% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$771,700

$381,900

+51% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$90,583

$77,041

+15% in Anaheim, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$51,380

+8% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

34.8 yr

+1.1 yr in Anaheim, CA

Homeownership

45.9%

57.1%

+11.2 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.8%

32.3%

+3.5 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Avg Commute

28.2 min

25.7 min

+2.5 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

597.4

799.6

+34% in Phoenix, AZ

Property Crime

2,234.6

2,338.9

+5% in Phoenix, AZ

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

75.1°F

+8.0°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

13.4 in

8.2 in

+5.3 in in Anaheim, CA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.89/gal

$5.57/gal

+5% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

15.6

+53% in Anaheim, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$19.69

+5% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / AZ)

7.25%

5.6%

+1.7 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

2.50%

+10.8 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Phoenix — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Phoenix?: Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Phoenix?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Phoenix?: Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).