Elk Grove vs Garden Grove: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Elk Grove, California compare to Garden Grove, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Elk Grove is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 20% lower in Elk Grove compared to Garden Grove, while rent is 10% higher.
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $560,500 | $702,600 | -20.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,076 | $1,887 | +10.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $115,864 | $86,139 | +34.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $42,764 | $31,132 | +37.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 176,105 | 171,637 | +2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Elk Grove
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Garden Grove
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Elk Grove costs $560,500 compared to $702,600 in Garden Grove — a 20% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,076/mo in Elk Grove vs $1,887/mo in Garden Grove.
- Income: Median household income is $115,864 in Elk Grove and $86,139 in Garden Grove.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).