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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Garden Grove is 52% more expensive than Carrollton.

$1,971/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 15%
$90,166/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↑ 10%
$765,500 ↑ 116%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 54%
$2,016/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 16%
170,603
Population
132,741

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
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $297/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $3,564/year.

Median household income is $8,949/year higher in Carrollton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Carrollton?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $297/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Carrollton?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $8,949/year higher in Carrollton.
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 Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Carrollton

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 Carrollton vs. New Haven Carrollton vs. Santa Clara Carrollton vs. Sterling Heights Carrollton vs. Fargo Carrollton vs. Coral Springs Carrollton vs. Norman