Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Springfield, IL (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Garden Grove is 189% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,971/mo ↑ 109%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 52%
$90,166/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↓ 27%
$765,500 ↑ 393%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 80%
$2,016/mo ↑ 107%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 52%
170,603
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,026/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $12,312/year.

Median household income is $24,629/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Springfield slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Springfield — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Springfield?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $1,026/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Springfield?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $24,629/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Springfield

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 Springfield vs. Odessa Springfield vs. Beaumont Springfield vs. Elgin Springfield vs. Gresham Springfield vs. Provo Springfield vs. Las Cruces