Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Garden Grove is 159% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,971/mo ↑ 108%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 52%
$90,166/yr ↑ 63%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 39%
$765,500 ↑ 252%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 72%
$2,016/mo ↑ 107%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 52%
170,603
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,025/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $12,300/year.

Median household income is $34,990/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

New Mexico has a lower income tax rate, making Las Cruces slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Las Cruces is cheaper to live in with an index of 68 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $1,025/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $34,990/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and New Mexico?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Las Cruces has a cost index of 68 with rent of $946/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Las Cruces

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 Las Cruces vs. Gresham Las Cruces vs. Lansing Las Cruces vs. Beaumont Las Cruces vs. Pompano Beach Las Cruces vs. Springfield Las Cruces vs. Peoria