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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Garden Grove is 129% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,971/mo ↑ 85%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 46%
$90,166/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 32%
$765,500 ↑ 205%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 67%
$2,016/mo ↑ 91%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 48%
170,603
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $906/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $10,872/year.

Median household income is $28,712/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Lafayette?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $906/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Lafayette?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $28,712/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Lafayette

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 Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield