Akron OH vs Garden Grove CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 170,603 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 56.1% | 28.4% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,387 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 24.9% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $1,012,728 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Garden Grove
14.1%
Garden Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 31.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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