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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Fargo

North Dakota
73

Garden Grove is 141% more expensive than Fargo.

$1,971/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$916/mo ↓ 54%
$90,166/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$66,029/yr ↓ 27%
$765,500 ↑ 184%
Home Value
$269,800 ↓ 65%
$2,016/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$997/mo ↓ 51%
170,603
Population
129,064

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.98%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Fargo, ND, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,055/month cheaper in Fargo, saving renters about $12,660/year.

Median household income is $24,137/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $269,800 in Fargo.

North Dakota has a lower income tax rate, making Fargo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Fargo — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Fargo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fargo is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Fargo?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Fargo it's $916/month — a difference of $1,055/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Fargo?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $66,029 in Fargo. Median household income is $24,137/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and North Dakota?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Dakota has 2.5% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.98% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Fargo?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Fargo has a cost index of 73 with rent of $916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Fargo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Fargo

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 Fargo vs. Santa Clara Fargo vs. Norman Fargo vs. Carrollton Fargo vs. Lewisville Fargo vs. New Haven Fargo vs. Lehigh Acres