Anaheim CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 19.9% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 2.5% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 17.2% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 8.2% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 44.3% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Anaheim +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Anaheim + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 37.5 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Anaheim, CA vs New York, NYAnaheim, CA vs Los Angeles, CAAnaheim, CA vs Chicago, ILAnaheim, CA vs Houston, TXAnaheim, CA vs Phoenix, AZAnaheim, CA vs Philadelphia, PA