Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 12 of 23 categories
Anaheim
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
347,111
Washington
District of Columbia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
36% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 45°F
Cons
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Median income trails Washington by $13,184/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Washington, DC
Pros
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $13,184 more per year on average
Rent averages $141/mo less ($1,817 vs $1,958)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Violent Crime
36% lower
596.2 vs 925.9 per 100k
Anaheim
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Washington
Median Income
$13,184
$101,722 vs $88,538/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $705,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $1,817⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Washington is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 12 of 23 categories. Anaheim wins 11 and Washington wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $705,000 median home), income ($88,538 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,274 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.