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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Houston is 50% cheaper than Garden Grove.

$1,313/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↑ 50%
$62,894/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↑ 43%
$253,400 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 202%
$1,316/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↑ 53%
2,300,419
Population
170,603

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $658/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $7,896/year.

Median household income is $27,272/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is Houston or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $658/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $27,272/year higher in Garden Grove.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with rent of $1,971/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

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