Garden Grove vs Oxnard: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Garden Grove, California compare to Oxnard, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Oxnard is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 20% higher in Garden Grove compared to Oxnard, while rent is 1% lower.
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oxnard, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $702,600 | $587,200 | +19.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,887 | $1,907 | -1.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $86,139 | $90,409 | -4.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,132 | $28,845 | +7.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 171,637 | 202,279 | -15.1% |
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 — 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.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Oxnard
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 Garden Grove costs $702,600 compared to $587,200 in Oxnard — a 20% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,887/mo in Garden Grove vs $1,907/mo in Oxnard.
- Income: Median household income is $86,139 in Garden Grove and $90,409 in Oxnard.
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).