Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Garden Grove, CA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Arlington is 15% more expensive than Garden Grove.

$2,275/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↓ 13%
$140,160/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↓ 36%
$864,800 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$765,500 ↓ 11%
$2,414/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↓ 16%
235,463
Population
170,603

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $304/month cheaper in Garden Grove, saving renters about $3,648/year.

Median household income is $49,994/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is Arlington or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garden Grove is cheaper to live in with an index of 176 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $304/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $49,994/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and California?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with rent of $1,971/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Garden Grove

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