Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Billings, MT (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Garden Grove is 105% more expensive than Billings.

$1,971/mo ↑ 80%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 44%
$90,166/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↓ 20%
$765,500 ↑ 146%
Home Value
$311,800 ↓ 59%
$2,016/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 42%
170,603
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $874/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $10,488/year.

Median household income is $18,311/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Montana has a lower income tax rate, making Billings slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Billings — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Billings is cheaper to live in with an index of 86 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Billings?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $874/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Billings?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $18,311/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Montana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Billings has a cost index of 86 with rent of $1,097/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Billings details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Billings

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 Billings vs. Wilmington Billings vs. Richardson Billings vs. Spring Hill Billings vs. Cambridge Billings vs. West Palm Beach Billings vs. North Charleston