City comparison
Yes. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Henderson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,824 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
Safety is where Henderson and Anaheim split most clearly. Henderson scores 58 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,824 in Henderson and $2,175 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Henderson wins on cost of living and safety and Anaheim wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Henderson at $1,824 average has pockets that run $1,624 and others at $2,224: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Henderson and Anaheim are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $351 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $5,089 (6%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 143 in Anaheim, up 58 points (68%).
The move
Anaheim and Henderson are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,824 a month in Henderson, down $351 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $90,138 in Henderson, down $5,089 (5%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 85 in Henderson, down 58 points (41%).
Henderson, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Henderson and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Henderson rent is 16% cheaper than Anaheim
Henderson
Winner$1,824/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,824 a month in Henderson versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Henderson is 16% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,212, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Henderson still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Anaheim.
Planning to buy in Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Anaheim's median income is 6% higher than Henderson
Henderson
$90,138
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $90,138 in Henderson, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Anaheim (about $5,089 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
41% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 41% lower than Anaheim
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% lower in Henderson. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Henderson is the easier city. Anaheim can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Henderson and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Henderson
69°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Henderson averages about 69°F (76°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Henderson sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Henderson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $1,824 a month. Choose Henderson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 41% lower than Anaheim (85 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Henderson: Henderson scores 65/100 versus 49/100 in Anaheim, with typical rent at $1,824 versus $2,175. I would vet the exact ZIP in Anaheim before trading 16 safety points for housing savings.
Anaheim still pays more locally ($95,227 median income vs $90,138), which can offset the lease if your field pays Anaheim rates.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $90,138 in Henderson.
Pick Henderson when you want the stronger safety signal (65/100). Otherwise, Anaheim's case rests on a Anaheim ZIP you trust at $2,175 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Henderson and Anaheim, plus other cities in NV and CA.
