Living Cost Compare
Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/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 $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Anaheim, CA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 15% higher in Washington, DC. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$1,929
$1,763
+9% in Anaheim, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,764
$1,885
+7% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$2,171
$1,949
+10% in Anaheim, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,653
$2,249
+15% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$771,700
$724,600
+6% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$90,583
$106,287
+17% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$71,060
+27% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
34.9 yr
+1.0 yr in Anaheim, CA
Homeownership
45.9%
41.1%
+4.8 pp in Anaheim, CA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.8%
63.6%
+34.8 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
28.2 min
30.3 min
+2.1 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
597.4
936
+57% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
2,234.6
3,627.1
+62% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+8.9°F in Anaheim, CA
Annual Precipitation
13.4 in
39.7 in
+26.3 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.89/gal
$4.30/gal
+27% in Anaheim, CA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$2.00
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
25.0
+25% in Anaheim, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$18.01
+13% 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 / DC)
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
10.75%
+2.6 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Washington?
Anaheim, CA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $2,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Washington?
Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 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).