Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Garden Grove
28.4%
Garden Grove +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 170,603 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.6 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 11.7% | 28.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,387 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 24.9% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $1,012,728 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Garden Grove
14.1%
Garden Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Garden Grove
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 31.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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