Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Garden Grove is 148% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,971/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 44%
$90,166/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 30%
$765,500 ↑ 328%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 77%
$2,016/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 45%
170,603
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $865/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $10,380/year.

Median household income is $27,446/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Abilene — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Abilene?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $865/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Abilene?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $27,446/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Abilene

Garden Grove vs. Clarksville Garden Grove vs. Pembroke Pines Garden Grove vs. Oceanside Garden Grove vs. Lancaster Garden Grove vs. Rancho Cucamonga Garden Grove vs. Fort Collins Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland