Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 170,603 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 44.0% | 28.4% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.3% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $32,387 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.8% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 24.9% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $1,012,728 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Garden Grove
11.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.1% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.7% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 31.1 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA