Home / Compare / Garden Grove vs Laguna Niguel

Garden Grove, CA vs Laguna Niguel, CA

163
Garden Grove
California
VS
-25.3%
218
Laguna Niguel
California

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Garden Grove is 25.3% cheaper than Laguna Niguel. With a cost index of 163 vs 218, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Garden Grove to Laguna Niguel should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month compared to $2,819/month in Laguna Niguel — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garden Grove is more affordable at $765,500 median vs $1,123,000.

Median household income in Garden Grove is $90,166 compared to $140,605 in Laguna Niguel (-35.9%). While Laguna Niguel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Garden Grove spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 24.1% in Laguna Niguel.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 64.9°F). Garden Grove receives more rainfall at 11.9" per year compared to 11.2" in Laguna Niguel.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Garden Grove
163
25% cheaper
Laguna Niguel
218
Median Household Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Laguna Niguel
$140,605
36% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Garden Grove
$1,971
30% cheaper
Laguna Niguel
$2,819
Median Home Value
Garden Grove
$765,500
32% cheaper
Laguna Niguel
$1,123,000
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Laguna Niguel
64,023

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

$
Formula:

Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Garden Grove $2,031
Laguna Niguel $2,031
1 Bed
Garden Grove $2,272
Laguna Niguel $2,272
2 Bed
Garden Grove $2,835
Laguna Niguel $2,835
3 Bed
Garden Grove $3,599
Laguna Niguel $3,599
4 Bed
Garden Grove $4,010
Laguna Niguel $4,010

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Garden Grove $3.28
Laguna Niguel $3.28
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Garden Grove $2.68
Laguna Niguel $2.68
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Garden Grove $4.31
Laguna Niguel $4.31
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Garden Grove $1.98
Laguna Niguel $1.98
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Garden Grove $4.44
Laguna Niguel $4.44
US $4.14
Electricity
Garden Grove $0.27
Laguna Niguel $0.27
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Garden Grove 66.2°F
Laguna Niguel 64.9°F
Summer High
Garden Grove 84°F
Laguna Niguel 79°F
Winter Low
Garden Grove 46°F
Laguna Niguel 49°F
Rainfall
Garden Grove 11.9"
Laguna Niguel 11.2"
Rainy Days
Garden Grove 38d
Laguna Niguel 41d