Garden Grove, CA vs San Clemente, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Garden Grove is 23.6% cheaper than San Clemente. With a cost index of 163 vs 213, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Garden Grove to San Clemente should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month compared to $2,398/month in San Clemente — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garden Grove is more affordable at $765,500 median vs $1,220,500.
Median household income in Garden Grove is $90,166 compared to $134,735 in San Clemente (-33.1%). While San Clemente 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 21.4% in San Clemente.
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 San Clemente.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)