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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Santa Rosa is 2% cheaper than Garden Grove.

$2,084/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↓ 5%
$97,410/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↓ 7%
$685,000 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 12%
$2,130/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↓ 5%
177,216
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $113/month cheaper in Garden Grove, saving renters about $1,356/year.

Median household income is $7,244/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $765,500 in Garden Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Garden Grove — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Rosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $113/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $7,244/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa or Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/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 Rosa details → View Garden Grove details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Garden Grove

Santa Rosa vs. Elk Grove Santa Rosa vs. Cary Santa Rosa vs. Eugene Santa Rosa vs. Salem Santa Rosa vs. Ontario Santa Rosa vs. Rancho Cucamonga 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