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Garden Grove, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA

163
Garden Grove
California
VS
-6.9%
175
Santa Clarita
California

Garden Grove is moderately more affordable than Santa Clarita, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Garden Grove scores 163 compared to 175 for Santa Clarita, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Santa Clarita can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Garden Grove is $1,971/month compared to $2,486/month in Santa Clarita — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Garden Grove has cheaper rent, Santa Clarita actually has lower median home values ($721,000 vs $765,500).

Median household income in Garden Grove is $90,166 compared to $119,926 in Santa Clarita (-24.8%). While Santa Clarita 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 24.9% in Santa Clarita.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 66.6°F). Santa Clarita receives more rainfall at 13.4" per year compared to 11.9" in Garden Grove.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Garden Grove
163
7% cheaper
Santa Clarita
175
Median Household Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Santa Clarita
$119,926
25% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Garden Grove
$1,971
21% cheaper
Santa Clarita
$2,486
Median Home Value
Garden Grove
$765,500
Santa Clarita
$721,000
6% cheaper
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Santa Clarita
229,021

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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Rent by Bedroom Size

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

Studio
Garden Grove $2,031
Santa Clarita $2,031
1 Bed
Garden Grove $2,272
Santa Clarita $2,272
2 Bed
Garden Grove $2,835
Santa Clarita $2,835
3 Bed
Garden Grove $3,599
Santa Clarita $3,599
4 Bed
Garden Grove $4,010
Santa Clarita $4,010

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

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

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Garden Grove 66.2°F
Santa Clarita 66.6°F
Summer High
Garden Grove 84°F
Santa Clarita 91°F
Winter Low
Garden Grove 46°F
Santa Clarita 46°F
Rainfall
Garden Grove 11.9"
Santa Clarita 13.4"
Rainy Days
Garden Grove 38d
Santa Clarita 34d