Garden Grove CA vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Kent
14.1%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 84,389 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 14.1% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 31.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $72,867 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 13.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 25.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.2% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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