Anaheim CA vs Tacoma 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%

Tacoma, WA

Washington · Population: 220,482

  • Median HH Income$83,857
  • Median Home Price$496,966
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+33.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Tacoma
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Anaheim +
Tacoma
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Tacoma
11.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Tacoma
39.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Tacoma
31.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Tacoma