Garden Grove CA vs Killeen 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%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Garden Grove +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
6.1%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 45,598 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 44.1 | Garden Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 11.0% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.9% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 6.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 10.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 45.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.6% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, 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
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 30.4 min | Killeen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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