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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Garden Grove is 93% more expensive than College Station.

$1,971/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 41%
$90,166/yr ↑ 74%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 43%
$765,500 ↑ 134%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 57%
$2,016/mo ↑ 61%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 38%
170,603
Population
122,280

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
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $803/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $9,636/year.

Median household income is $38,390/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs College Station — common questions

Is Garden Grove or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and College Station?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $803/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or College Station?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $38,390/year higher in Garden Grove.
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 College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and College Station

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 College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette