Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Garden Grove is 16% more expensive than Arvada.

$1,971/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↓ 9%
$90,166/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↑ 26%
$765,500 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$600,800 ↓ 22%
$2,016/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↓ 3%
170,603
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $169/month cheaper in Arvada, saving renters about $2,028/year.

Median household income is $23,230/year higher in Arvada. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Arvada slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Arvada — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arvada is cheaper to live in with an index of 152 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Arvada?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $169/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Arvada?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $23,230/year higher in Arvada.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Arvada details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Arvada

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 Arvada vs. Concord Arvada vs. Clovis Arvada vs. Round Rock Arvada vs. College Station Arvada vs. Vallejo Arvada vs. Independence