Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Richardson, TX (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Garden Grove is 38% more expensive than Richardson.

$1,971/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 7%
$90,166/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 7%
$765,500 ↑ 89%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 47%
$2,016/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 11%
170,603
Population
118,269

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $146/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $1,752/year.

Median household income is $6,091/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Richardson residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Richardson — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Richardson?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $146/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Richardson?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $6,091/year higher in Richardson.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Richardson

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 Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater