Performance
Score Breakdown
Anaheim
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% higher compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anaheim's average rent is
14% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Anaheim | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,487 | $2,184 | +14% |
| Groceries | $411 | $450 | -9% |
| Utilities | $262 | $231 | +13% |
| Transport | $514 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,813 | $3,015 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Los Angeles delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anaheim is estimated at
$59,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Anaheim | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,182 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,297 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $95,227 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anaheim | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 67.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Anaheim.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anaheim | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,597 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $22.8B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anaheim
#65California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
Los Angeles
#65California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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