Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Garden Grove is 68% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,971/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 22%
$90,166/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 29%
$765,500 ↑ 135%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 57%
$2,016/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 30%
170,603
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $432/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $5,184/year.

Median household income is $25,726/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Clearwater?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $432/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Clearwater?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $25,726/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Clearwater

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 Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville