Garden Grove CA vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 8.5% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 1.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 2.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 12.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $67,449 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 38.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.6% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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 Houston, TXGarden Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZGarden Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA