Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Downey
21.0%
Garden Grove
28.4%
Garden Grove +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Garden Grove
1.3%
Garden Grove +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Garden Grove
37.6%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.6 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 21.0% | 28.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Black | 0.4% | 1.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 37.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Garden Grove
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $32,387 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 24.9% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Downey +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $1,012,728 | Downey + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Garden Grove
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Garden Grove
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Garden Grove
11.4%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.7% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 31.1 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while downey offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $888,820. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. 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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