Garden Grove CA vs Glendale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
9.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
6.6%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 271,118 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.7 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 9.6% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 6.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 17.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Glendale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $408,630 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Glendale
16.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 32.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.0 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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