Garden Grove CA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 7.9% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 1.3% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 3.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 10.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $60,583 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,714 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 660 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2507 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 40.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.5% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.3% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 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
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
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