Garden Grove CA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Houston
28.8%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 28.8% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 1.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 6.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $62,894 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 42.0% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 38.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.1% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 24.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.6% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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%.
Compare More Cities
Garden Grove, CA vs New York, NYGarden Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garden Grove, CAGarden Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZGarden Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PAGarden Grove, CA vs San Antonio, TX