Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Garden Grove
170,603
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 170,603 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.6 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 78.9% | 28.4% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.3% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $32,387 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 24.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $1,012,728 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.4% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 31.1 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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