Garden Grove CA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 114,799 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 29.5% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 21.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 19.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $76,205 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 44.0% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 27.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.1% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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