Garden Grove CA vs Moreno Valley CA — 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%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
23.9%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 23.9% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 22.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Black | 1.3% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 5.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $87,477 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $28,255 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 17.3% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Moreno Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $552,845 | Moreno Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Moreno Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Moreno Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
12.5%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 39.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.0% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| 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
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 36.9 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while moreno Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,845. On public safety, Moreno Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Moreno Valley 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
Garden Grove, CA vs New York, NYGarden Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garden Grove, CAGarden Grove, CA vs Houston, TXGarden Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZGarden Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA