Garden Grove CA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 112,612 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 10.1% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $55,176 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $30,804 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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