Cost of Living: Santa Clarita, CA vs Garden Grove, CA (2026)

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Santa Clarita is 12% more expensive than Garden Grove.

$2,486/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↓ 21%
$119,926/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↓ 25%
$721,000 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 6%
$2,649/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↓ 24%
229,021
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

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $515/month cheaper in Garden Grove, saving renters about $6,180/year.

Median household income is $29,760/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is Santa Clarita 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 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $515/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $29,760/year higher in Santa Clarita.
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 Santa Clarita or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/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 Santa Clarita details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Garden Grove

Santa Clarita vs. Spokane Santa Clarita vs. Fremont Santa Clarita vs. Enterprise Santa Clarita vs. Richmond Santa Clarita vs. Norfolk Santa Clarita vs. Baton Rouge 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