Garden Grove CA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 156,309 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 8.5% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 4.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 22.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $85,789 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 23.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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