Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Anaheim, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Anaheim, CA: $3,531 a month against $4,941 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $16,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

New York, NY, United States
Anaheim, CA, United States
New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,941
/mo nomad
Anaheim, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,531
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in New York, NY and in Anaheim, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in New York, NY and in Anaheim, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,941 per month in New York, NY vs $3,531 in Anaheim, CA, rent included.

  • New York, NY $4,941
  • Anaheim, CA $3,531

A couple spends around $7,225 per month in New York, NY vs $4,931 in Anaheim, CA, rent included.

  • New York, NY $7,225
  • Anaheim, CA $4,931

A family of three spends $9,509 per month in New York, NY vs $6,331 in Anaheim, CA, rent included.

  • New York, NY $9,509
  • Anaheim, CA $6,331

New York, NY costs about 40% more than Anaheim, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both New York, NY and Anaheim, CA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 263%, Anaheim, CA by 159%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.55 $28.55
$24.64 $24.64
15.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$79.0 $79.0
49.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$15.04 $15.04
$16.38 $16.38
-8.18%
Cappuccino
$6.53 $6.53
$5.68 $5.68
14.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 $3.96
$3.08 $3.08
28.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.32 $2.32
29.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.16 $8.16
$7.30 $7.30
11.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.84 $9.84
$9.78 $9.78
0.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.37 $1.37
$1.26 $1.26
8.73%
White Bread (500g)
$4.97 $4.97
$5.19 $5.19
-4.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.81 $7.81
$4.80 $4.80
62.71%
Eggs
$5.97 $5.97
$5.79 $5.79
3.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.91 $18.91
$15.19 $15.19
24.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$18.04 $18.04
$18.11 $18.11
-0.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.05 $19.05
$15.37 $15.37
23.94%
Apples (1kg)
$6.76 $6.76
$4.95 $4.95
36.57%
Banana (1kg)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.40 $2.40
-5.42%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.83 $6.83
$4.13 $4.13
65.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.09 $7.09
$5.48 $5.48
29.38%
Potato (1kg)
$4.22 $4.22
$3.60 $3.60
17.22%
Onion (1kg)
$4.65 $4.65
$2.26 $2.26
105.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.87 $2.87
$2.16 $2.16
32.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.60 $2.60
$1.91 $1.91
36.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$18.77 $18.77
$11.55 $11.55
62.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.13 $20.13
$14.75 $14.75
36.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.45 $3.45
$1.91 $1.91
80.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02 $4.02
$4.27 $4.27
-5.85%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.04 $2.04
42.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$139 $139
$68.4 $68.4
103.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.08 $3.08
$6.42 $6.42
-52.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.12 $2.12
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.96 $41.96
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 $1.17
$1.57 $1.57
-25.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K $34.5K
$28.5K $28.5K
21.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$26.7K $26.7K
-3.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$219 $219
$171 $171
28.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$74.2 $74.2
$67.3 $67.3
10.33%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.2 $70.2
$73.8 $73.8
-4.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$112 $112
$78.9 $78.9
41.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$74.9 $74.9
$10.09 $10.09
641.92%
Cinema Ticket
$22.14 $22.14
$17.95 $17.95
23.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,558 $3,558
$1,169 $1,169
204.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$62.2K $62.2K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.6 $75.6
$58.1 $58.1
30.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 $51.2
$39.29 $39.29
30.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$123 $123
$106 $106
16.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140 $140
$147 $147
-4.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,499 $4,499
$2,292 $2,292
96.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,078 $3,078
$2,004 $2,004
53.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$9,447 $9,447
$2,794 $2,794
238.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,190 $5,190
$2,928 $2,928
77.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$18.1K $18.1K
$7,576 $7,576
139.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,693 $6,693
$6,002 $6,002
11.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Anaheim, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,220 $5,220
$4,074 $4,074
28.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.86
6.39
7.36%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: October 26, 2026

Last update for Anaheim, CA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
$3.1K
Anaheim, CA
$2K 34.9% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
$563
Anaheim, CA
$467 17.1% $96
Eating Out
New York, NY
$440
Anaheim, CA
$392 10.9% $48
Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
$364
Anaheim, CA
$312 14.2% $51
Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
$175
Anaheim, CA
$158 10.1% $18
Getting Around
New York, NY
$164
Anaheim, CA
$83 * 49.5% $81
Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
$156
Anaheim, CA
$115 26.5% $41

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,499 in New York, NY versus $2,292 in Anaheim, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 28% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in New York, NY versus $79 in Anaheim, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $563 vs $467 – making Anaheim, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🇺🇸 Anaheim, CA
🕒 Local time
19:08 7:08 PM
16:08 4:08 PM
3 h behind New York, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
8,804,190
350,742
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • New York, NY Anaheim, CA 3,900 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • New York, NY
  • Anaheim, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
New York, NY vs Anaheim, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, New York, NY or Anaheim, CA?
New York, NY costs about 40% more than Anaheim, CA, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in New York, NY and in Anaheim, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,412 per month in New York, NY and $5,296 in Anaheim, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, New York, NY or Anaheim, CA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Anaheim, CA, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $2,292 there versus $4,499 in New York, NY.
Are groceries more expensive in New York, NY or in Anaheim, CA?
Groceries cost about 21% more in New York, NY, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in New York, NY and in Anaheim, CA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in New York, NY and $79 in Anaheim, CA. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in New York, NY or in Anaheim, CA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,941 in New York, NY and $3,531 in Anaheim, CA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, New York, NY or Anaheim, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Anaheim, CA costs $3,531 versus $4,941 in New York, NY. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to New York, NY or to Anaheim, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Anaheim, CA. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

New York, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?