Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 170,603 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 39.1% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $32,387 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 24.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $1,012,728 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 31.1 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX