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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Garden Grove is 100% more expensive than Metairie.

$1,971/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 41%
$90,166/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 19%
$765,500 ↑ 148%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 60%
$2,016/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 41%
170,603
Population
138,995

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
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $812/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $9,744/year.

Median household income is $16,910/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Metairie — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Metairie?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $812/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Metairie?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $16,910/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 Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Metairie has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,159/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Metairie details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Metairie

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 Metairie vs. Fullerton Metairie vs. Orange Metairie vs. Waco Metairie vs. Warren Metairie vs. Visalia Metairie vs. Columbia