Garden Grove CA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%

Lynchburg, VA

Virginia · Population: 79,255

  • Median HH Income$59,808
  • Median Home Price$264,994
  • Unemployment5.0%
  • Bachelor's+38.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
49.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
12.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Lynchburg
41.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +

Which City is Right for You?

Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Garden Grove & Lynchburg