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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Garden Grove is 5% more expensive than Fairfield.

$1,971/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 11%
$90,166/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 13%
$765,500 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 23%
$2,016/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 10%
170,603
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $220/month cheaper in Garden Grove, saving renters about $2,640/year.

Median household income is $12,155/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Fairfield?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $220/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Fairfield?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $12,155/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Fairfield

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 Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill