Anaheim, CA vs Santa Clara, CA

The cost of living difference between Anaheim, CA and Santa Clara, CA is dramatic. Anaheim is 34.8% cheaper than Santa Clara, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Anaheim has a cost index of 167 while Santa Clara sits at 255, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Anaheim is $2,082/month compared to $2,985/month in Santa Clara — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Anaheim is more affordable at $771,700 median vs $1,527,900.

Median household income in Anaheim is $90,583 compared to $173,670 in Santa Clara (-47.8%). While Santa Clara is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Anaheim spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Santa Clara.