Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Elgin, IL (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Elgin

Illinois
90

Garden Grove is 96% more expensive than Elgin.

$1,971/mo ↑ 56%
Median Rent
$1,260/mo ↓ 36%
$90,166/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$88,316/yr ↓ 2%
$765,500 ↑ 203%
Home Value
$252,400 ↓ 67%
$2,016/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,502/mo ↓ 25%
170,603
Population
114,106

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Elgin, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $711/month cheaper in Elgin, saving renters about $8,532/year.

Median household income is $1,850/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $252,400 in Elgin.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Elgin slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Elgin — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Elgin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elgin is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Elgin?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Elgin it's $1,260/month — a difference of $711/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Elgin?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $88,316 in Elgin. Median household income is $1,850/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Elgin?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Elgin has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,260/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Elgin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Elgin

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 Elgin vs. Provo Elgin vs. Odessa Elgin vs. Waterbury Elgin vs. Springfield Elgin vs. Carlsbad Elgin vs. Beaumont