CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Garden Grove, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
CA
Garden Grove
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Baltimore is moderately cheaper than Garden Grove — 8.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $87,000 in Garden Grove. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+44.2%
Baltimore
118.2
Garden Grove
170.4
🛒 Groceries+4.1%
Baltimore
102.4
Garden Grove
106.6
🚗 Transportation+2.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Garden Grove
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Baltimore
96.4
Garden Grove
99.1
Utilities+43.9%
Baltimore
110.2
Garden Grove
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Garden Grove to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Garden Grove, CA
$87,000
$7,000 more needed in Garden Grove

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 1.0871. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Garden Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Garden Grove has 44.2% higher housing costs compared to Baltimore.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Garden Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
171,949
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Garden Grove, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.