Oceanside vs Garden Grove: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Oceanside, 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: Oceanside is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 8% lower in Oceanside compared to Garden Grove, while rent is 10% higher.
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $644,600 | $702,600 | -8.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,078 | $1,887 | +10.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $86,701 | $86,139 | +0.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,131 | $31,132 | +28.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 173,722 | 171,637 | +1.2% |
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 — Oceanside
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 Oceanside costs $644,600 compared to $702,600 in Garden Grove — a 8% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,078/mo in Oceanside vs $1,887/mo in Garden Grove.
- Income: Median household income is $86,701 in Oceanside 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).