City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Raleigh and Anaheim is the real story here. Raleigh comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,572 vs $2,175), which over a year adds up to $7,236. Median household income runs $85,395 in Raleigh and $95,227 in Anaheim.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh costs less and Anaheim pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Raleigh and Anaheim are 2,217 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $603 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $9,832 (12%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 143 in Anaheim, up 1 points (1%).
The move
Anaheim and Raleigh are 2,217 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $603 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $9,832 (10%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 142 in Raleigh, down 1 points (1%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 28% cheaper than Anaheim
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Raleigh is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $603/month back in your pocket ($7,236/year). Over five years that's $36,180 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, Raleigh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Anaheim's median income is 12% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Anaheim (about $9,832 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. Raleigh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
1% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 1% lower than Anaheim
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Anaheim. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim scores 16% 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 Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Anaheim (142 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 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 12% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Raleigh undercuts Anaheim by $603/month ($1,572 vs $2,175). I would not pick Anaheim on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Raleigh rent at $1,572/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 $85,395 in Raleigh.
Raleigh is the default on housing cost at $1,572/month versus $2,175 in Anaheim; Anaheim stays in play when $95,227 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $603 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Anaheim, plus other cities in NC and CA.
