Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Garden Grove, CA (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Huntington Beach is 29% more expensive than Garden Grove.

$2,424/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↓ 19%
$119,885/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↓ 25%
$1,047,300 ↑ 37%
Home Value
$765,500 ↓ 27%
$2,436/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↓ 17%
196,010
Population
170,603

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $453/month cheaper in Garden Grove, saving renters about $5,436/year.

Median household income is $29,719/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garden Grove is cheaper to live in with an index of 176 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $453/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $29,719/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/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 Huntington Beach details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

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