Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 170,603 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 39.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 43.2% | 28.4% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $32,387 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.8% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 24.9% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
53.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $1,012,728 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.6% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 31.1 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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