City comparison
No. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Anaheim is significant: $61,953 median household versus $95,227. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $2,175 in Anaheim.
Anaheim is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Anaheim is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Anaheim are 2,377 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $778 a month (56%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $33,274 (54%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 143 in Anaheim, down 118 points (45%).
The move
Anaheim and Philadelphia are 2,377 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $778 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $33,274 (35%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 261 in Philadelphia, up 118 points (83%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 36% cheaper than Anaheim
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Philadelphia is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $778/month back in your pocket ($9,336/year). Over five years that's $46,680 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
54% higher
Anaheim's median income is 54% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 54% higher in Anaheim (about $33,274 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
45% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 45% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% lower in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Anaheim
Winner77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Anaheim averages about 77°F (83°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Anaheim sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim scores 45% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 54% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 45% lower than Philadelphia (143 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Philadelphia at $1,397/month versus $2,175 in Anaheim ($778 apart). Anaheim median income is $95,227 against $61,953 in Philadelphia, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
Pick Philadelphia when shaving $778 off rent at $1,397/month is the priority. Otherwise, Anaheim's case rests on $2,175/month rent with $95,227 local income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Anaheim, plus other cities in PA and CA.
