Is Garden Grove, CA cheaper than Fort Collins, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Garden Grove, CA is 50.4% more expensive than Fort Collins, CO. This translates to spending an extra $3776 per month.

What salary do I need in Garden Grove, CA to live like I do in Fort Collins, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Collins, CO, you'd need approximately $195,317.283 in Garden Grove, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fort Collins, CO and Garden Grove, CA?

Housing in Garden Grove, CA is 120.5% more expensive than in Fort Collins, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,650/month in Garden Grove, CA compared to $1,302/month in Fort Collins, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fort Collins, CO to Garden Grove, CA?

Living in Garden Grove, CA costs approximately $3776 more per month than Fort Collins, CO, or $45317 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fort Collins, CO vs Garden Grove, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Fort Collins, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.8K/month more in Garden Grove, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $195.3K in Garden Grove, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 50.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,776

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$45.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Fort Collins, CO

Population:170K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$542K

Garden Grove, CA

Population:168K

Cost Index:

150

(50% above avg)

Median Home:$833K

Fort Collins, CO

The Centennial State

170K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 170K residents.

Garden Grove, CA

The Golden State

168K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 168K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fort Collins, CO vs Garden Grove, CA

Category	Fort Collins, CO	Garden Grove, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,722/mo	$6,003/mo	↑ $3,281more	120.5%
Transportation	$1,361/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $797more	58.6%
Other	$1,652/mo	$1,724/mo	↑ $71.96more	4.4%
Healthcare	$610/mo	$551/mo	↓ $58.40less	9.6%
All Utilities	$501/mo	$557/mo	↑ $56.44more	11.3%
Groceries	$993/mo	$1,039/mo	↑ $46.06more	4.6%

Housing

↑ 120.5%

Fort Collins, CO

$2,722

Garden Grove, CA

$6,003

Difference

$3,281

Transportation

↑ 58.6%

Fort Collins, CO

$1,361

Garden Grove, CA

$2,158

Difference

$797

Other

↑ 4.4%

Fort Collins, CO

$1,652

Garden Grove, CA

$1,724

Difference

$71.96

Healthcare

↓ 9.6%

Fort Collins, CO

$610

Garden Grove, CA

$551

Difference

$58.40

less

All Utilities

↑ 11.3%

Fort Collins, CO

$501

Garden Grove, CA

$557

Difference

$56.44

Groceries

↑ 4.6%

Fort Collins, CO

$993

Garden Grove, CA

$1,039

Difference

$46.06

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,136

To$1,750

↑ $614

1 Bed

From$1,152

To$2,050

↑ $898

2 Bed

From$1,302

To$2,650

↑ $1,348

3 Bed

From$1,797

To$3,800

↑ $2,003

Fort Collins, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$1,690/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,839

Monthly in Fort Collins, CO

$12,034

Monthly in Garden Grove, CA

$4,194

Difference

Home Values

Fort Collins

Garden Grove

$542K

Median Value

↓ -1.3%

YoY Change

↑ +23.2%

5-Year Change

$509K - $574K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Fort Collins

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Fort Collins, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Garden Grove, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Fort Collins, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

Garden Grove, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.