Garden Grove CA vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 71,455 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 4.6% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 2.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 5.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $55,429 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 21.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 49.8% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.1% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | 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
Garden Grove +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. 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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