Firstly why Anaheim, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Anaheim
- State: California
- Population: 352,505 people
- Anaheim’s quick summary would be Home to Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 50,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 50,000 annually
- Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 12,000
- Number of Homeless people: 2,000
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it as home to Disneyland attracts tourists and families seeking entertainment
Perk #1: Anaheim Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $83,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Anaheim is $105,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $22000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Anaheim’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 175 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $5,255
- Property Tax %: 1.07%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,400
- Rent for an average house: $3,500
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Anaheim Hills
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Anaheim, Disneyland, Garden-Grove, Buena-Park, and probably could include Orange
- Avg. Age of Homes in Anaheim: 45 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3.4%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Anaheim’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Anaheim are Tourism, Retail, and Healthcare
- Anaheim Job Scene: growing job market centered on tourism and retail
- The General Tech Scene: diverse tech scene with significant involvement in entertainment technology and tourism , ,
- Anaheim Resident’s pay $2,000 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Anaheim: 10%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 220 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 24
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Anaheim
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $180 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-5 runs through Anaheim connecting it to Los Angeles and beyond
- Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: evening bottlenecks near Disneyland
- Transportation Score: 50 out of 100 described as Good Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Anaheim: 360,000
- Cars registered per Person: 1
- No. of Car Washes: 15 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Anaheim: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
- Local Airport: John Wayne
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Anaheim’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
- General Weather in Anaheim is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional rain
- Winter Weather in Anaheim i’d describe as mild and sunny
- Spring Weather in Anaheim can be described as warm and dry
- Summer’s in Anaheim are mostly hot and sunny
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Anaheim is usually warm and sunny
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 3 days in summer
- Days in a row in Anaheim below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 13 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by high traffic volume
- Anaheim Winter Air persistent air quality challenges often due to traffic
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Anaheim Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Anaheim 5
- While the number of trade schools inside Anaheims’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Anaheim Public Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Anaheim Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 7 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Anaheim only Doctors is about 240
- Local Hospitals here is 11
- Full-time Anaheim only Police Officers is about 800
- Crime Rate Index: 20/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Anaheim’s Monthly utility bill average is $220
- Anaheim’s Monthly Gym Membership: $75
- Anaheim’s Water Quality Score: 75
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Anaheim
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 20 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: home to theme parks and a lively entertainment scene
- You might enjoy concerts at the Honda Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Anaheim features a variety of nightlife options including trendy bars and themed entertainment experiences
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Anaheim
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes family-friendly dining and diverse casual eateries
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 120 scattered around Anaheim
- The Popular Sports Team is Anaheim Ducks
- Top Level Political Climate in Anaheim can be described as politically diverse with a significant focus on tourism and employment
- Anaheim’s Longer standing religious establishment is Knott Avenue Christian Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Anaheim Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Anaheim has 68 Parks?
- Disneyland Resort is Anaheim’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Anaheim Farmers Market normally open Thursday 12pm-7pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Theme parks, cycling, and hiking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Anaheim Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Anaheim can be described as busy urban atmosphere centered around tourism and entertainment
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Anaheim visiting amusement parks outdoor sports local festivals
- The Cities people commute to from Anaheim are Santa-Ana 6 miles away Garden-Grove 6 miles away Buena-Park 7 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Anaheim or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: evening bottlenecks near Disneyland. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Anaheim’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Anaheim Hills is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Anaheim are Santa-Ana 6 miles away Garden-Grove 6 miles away Buena-Park 7 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Anaheim has 0 days in a row below freezing and 3 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Anaheim people have an average (positive or negative) $22000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
2,000 homeless people living in Anaheim. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically diverse with a significant focus on tourism and employment could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Anaheim.
Retiree & Senior Life in Anaheim
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may receive property tax relief programs designed for older homeowners
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Anaheim
- Anaheim Senior Center hosts social events educational classes and fitness programs for older adults
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Anaheim, California?
If Anaheim, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Anaheim, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!