Cost of Living in Garden Grove, CA

Population 170,603 · California · Data vintage 2023

211

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Garden Grove's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $766,000 for a typical home, 151% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $90,166 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Cost Overview

Housing 251

Rent 150

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Garden Grove

The median home value in Garden Grove is $765,500 — 151% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,971/month, 50% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,166/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. The climate averages highs of 76.4°F and lows of 56.0°F. Overall, Garden Grove has a cost of living index of 211 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 111% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$765,500

151% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$990,727

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,971/mo

50% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,509/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

32.4x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

0.7%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,195

1 BR

$1,241

2 BR

$1,544

3 BR

$2,163

4 BR

$2,556

Owner-occupied 53.6%

Renter-occupied 46.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,971

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,585/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

31.3 min

16% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

10.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

74.0%

Carpooled

11.9%

Public transit

1.3%

Walked

1.0%

Bicycle

0.3%

Work from home

10.1%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%

Total Sales Tax 8.7%

State rate 7.3%

Avg local rate 1.4%

Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$90,166

21% above avg

Per Capita Income

$32,387

Unemployment Rate

5.8%

20% above avg

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Labor Force Participation

63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.9%

Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.6

Male median age 38.7

Female median age 40.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

76.4°F

Avg Low

56.0°F

Annual Precip

11.9"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	69	69	71	74	76	79	84	87	85	80	74	68
Low °F	46	48	52	54	58	63	66	66	65	58	51	46
Precip"	2.85	3.02	1.74	0.59	0.30	0.08	0.02	0.02	0.14	0.50	0.74	1.86

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate

43.8%

Good air days/yr

166

Max AQI recorded

204

PM2.5 days

142

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Garden Grove, CA?

Garden Grove has a cost index of 211 (100 = national average). It is 111% above the national average.

What is average rent in Garden Grove, CA?

The median gross rent in Garden Grove is $1,971 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Garden Grove?

The median home value in Garden Grove is $765,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Garden Grove?

The median household income in Garden Grove is $90,166 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Garden Grove, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Garden Grove is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Garden Grove, CA affordable?

Garden Grove is above average in cost of living, with an index of 211 — about 111% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Garden Grove?

Garden Grove has average high temperatures of 76.4°F and average lows of 56.0°F. Annual precipitation is 11.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Garden Grove at a Glance

Population: 170,603
Median Income: $90,166
Home Value: $765,500
Median Rent: $1,971/mo
Unemployment: 5.8%
Avg High Temp: 76.4°F
Sales Tax: 8.7%

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