Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

Garden Grove is 171% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,971/mo ↑ 113%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 53%
$90,166/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↓ 25%
$765,500 ↑ 332%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 77%
$2,016/mo ↑ 86%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 46%
170,603
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,046/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $12,552/year.

Median household income is $22,307/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa has a lower income tax rate, making Cedar Rapids slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Cedar Rapids cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $1,046/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $22,307/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Iowa?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Cedar Rapids has a cost index of 65 with rent of $925/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Cedar Rapids details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Cedar Rapids

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 Cedar Rapids vs. Hampton Cedar Rapids vs. Dayton Cedar Rapids vs. West Valley City Cedar Rapids vs. Pasadena Cedar Rapids vs. Columbia Cedar Rapids vs. Miramar