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

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Provo

Utah
102

Garden Grove is 73% more expensive than Provo.

$1,971/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,152/mo ↓ 42%
$90,166/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$62,800/yr ↓ 30%
$765,500 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$437,100 ↓ 43%
$2,016/mo ↑ 65%
Owner Costs
$1,220/mo ↓ 39%
170,603
Population
114,303

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Provo, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 102 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $819/month cheaper in Provo, saving renters about $9,828/year.

Median household income is $27,366/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $437,100 in Provo.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Provo slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Provo — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Provo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Provo is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Provo?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Provo it's $1,152/month — a difference of $819/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Provo?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $62,800 in Provo. Median household income is $27,366/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Provo?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Provo has a cost index of 102 with rent of $1,152/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Provo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Provo

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 Provo vs. Waterbury Provo vs. Elgin Provo vs. Carlsbad Provo vs. Odessa Provo vs. East Los Angeles Provo vs. Springfield