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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

McKinney is 22% cheaper than Garden Grove.

$1,841/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↑ 7%
$120,273/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↓ 25%
$439,500 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 74%
$2,101/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↓ 4%
202,314
Population
170,603

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $130/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $1,560/year.

Median household income is $30,107/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is McKinney or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Garden Grove?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $130/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $30,107/year higher in McKinney.
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 McKinney or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/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 McKinney details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Garden Grove

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo 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