Garden Grove CA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 11.0% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 1.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 4.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 9.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $67,631 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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