Anaheim CA vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Boston
27.5%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Boston
10.0%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 27.5% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 47.8% | Boston + |
| Black | 2.5% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 10.0% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 18.9% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.9% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Boston
$793,154
Boston +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $793,154 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 35.4% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Boston
18.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.7% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 43.8 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 33.1 min | Anaheim + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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