Cost of Living: Garden Grove, CA vs Topeka, KS (2026)

Garden Grove

California
176
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

Garden Grove is 203% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,971/mo ↑ 108%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 52%
$90,166/yr ↑ 61%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 38%
$765,500 ↑ 486%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 83%
$2,016/mo ↑ 117%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 54%
170,603
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

26.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garden Grove, CA and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,024/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $12,288/year.

Median household income is $34,264/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garden Grove is $765,500 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Kansas has a lower income tax rate, making Topeka slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Grove vs Topeka — common questions

Is Garden Grove or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garden Grove and Topeka?
Median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $1,024/month.
Which city has higher income, Garden Grove or Topeka?
Median household income is $90,166 in Garden Grove and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $34,264/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between California and Kansas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Garden Grove or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $1,971/mo, while Topeka has a cost index of 58 with rent of $947/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garden Grove details → View Topeka details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Garden Grove and Topeka

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 Topeka vs. Athens Topeka vs. Pearland Topeka vs. Abilene Topeka vs. Simi Valley Topeka vs. Columbia Topeka vs. Thousand Oaks