Anaheim, a Southern California paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to live in the state. There are countless things to do in the city, whether you spend the day at Disneyland and California Adventure or check out Adventure City. No wonder close to 346,800 people are living in Anaheim.
So if you’re considering buying a home in Anaheim, know that the housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $780,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $507. For renters, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Anaheim is $2,330.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to buy a home, we’ve collected a list of the 8 best affordable Anaheim suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 30 minutes away from the city. That way, you can live close to Anaheim and all its cool activities without the price tag of owning a home there.
#1: Stanton
Median home price: $659,000
Average sale price per square foot: $533
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,845
Driving distance from Anaheim: 20 minutes
Stanton, CA homes for sale
Stanton, CA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of nearly $130K less than Anaheim, Stanton is number one on our list of most affordable Anaheim suburbs. About 38,000 people live in this suburban area, and you’ll only be about a 20-minute drive from downtown Anaheim. Living in Stanton, you can check out one of the beautiful city parks.
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#2: Norwalk
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Median home price: $675,000
Average sale price per square foot: $539
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,842
Driving distance from Anaheim: 20 minutes
Norwalk, CA homes for sale
Norwalk, CA apartments for rent
Norwalk is Anaheim’s second most affordable suburb. The same distance from Anaheim as Stanton, you can spend the day at Disneyland in no time. Some popular things to explore in Norwalk include visiting the D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum or spending the afternoon at one of the green spaces or parks. When living in this suburb of 102,800 people, you can also check out the charming downtown.
#3: Whittier
Median home price: $750,000
Average sale price per square foot: $476
Driving distance from Anaheim: 30 minutes
Whittier, CA homes for sale
Whittier, CA apartments for rent
Whittier takes the third spot on our list, with a median home sale price of $750,000. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to participate in when living in Whittier. If you’re moving to the third most affordable Anaheim suburb, visit the Whittier Museum, check out the Whitter Art Gallery, or head to the Hellman Park Trailhead.
#4: Cypress
Median home price: $760,000
Average sale price per square foot: $506
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,250
Driving distance from Anaheim: 20 minutes
Cypress, CA homes for sale
Cypress, CA apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Whittier is Cypress, the next suburb on our list. With roughly 50,200 residents in this Anaheim suburb, make sure you spend the afternoon watching a horse race at Los Alamitos Race Course.
#5: Fullerton
Median home price: $767,500
Average sale price per square foot: $537
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,052
Driving distance from Anaheim: 7 minutes
Fullerton, CA homes for sale
Fullerton, CA apartments for rent
With 143,600 people living in this affordable town Fullerton is another great Anaheim suburb to consider moving to. Just 7 minutes away from downtown Anaheim, Fullerton is an excellent option if you’re looking to stay close to Anaheim without paying the premium for a home in the city. In Fullerton, you can explore the Fullerton Arboretum, spend the afternoon at Laguna Lake Park, or follow the trails at Panorama Nature Preserve.
#6: Santa Ana
Median home price: $771,000
Average sale price per square foot: $538
Driving distance from Anaheim: 15 minutes
Santa Ana, CA homes for sale
Santa Ana, CA apartments for rent
Another well-known Anaheim suburb is Santa Ana. With roughly 310,200 people calling Santa Ana home, it’s a great area to consider moving to. You’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb stand out. Make sure to visit the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, explore the Santa Ana Zoo, or take a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Santa Ana.
“My favorite affordable thing to do is visiting the Santa Ana Zoo,” recommends Nadia Tayob from Fun with Mama. “The animals are always exciting and interesting to watch. The learning opportunities are endless. I love the quality time I can have at the zoo.”
#7: Placentia
Median home price: $867,500
Average sale price per square foot: $498
Driving distance from Anaheim: 10 minutes
Placentia, CA homes for sale
Placentia, CA apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Anaheim suburbs is Placentia, which is almost a 10-minute drive into downtown. With a population of about 51,800, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Placentia. If you’re going to call this area home, plan a time to visit the Historic George Key Ranch or check out Tri-City Park.
#8: Brea
Median home price: $925,000
Average sale price per square foot: $437
Driving distance from Anaheim: 15 minutes
Brea, CA homes for sale
Brea, CA apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable Anaheim suburbs is Brea. About 47,300 people reside in Brea, so you’ll have a fraction of Anaheim’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Stop by the Olinda Oil Museum & Trail and explore the Carbon Canyon Regional Park once living in Brea.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Anaheim and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Anaheim. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
Learn more about Anaheim:
10 Fun Things to Do in Anaheim
9 Hidden Gems In and Around Anaheim
10 Cities Near Anaheim to Buy or Rent in this Year
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