El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Garden Grove
37.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 170,603 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.6 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 39.3% | 28.4% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.3% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 37.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $32,387 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 24.9% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Garden Grove
53.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $1,012,728 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.6% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Garden Grove
14.1%
Garden Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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