Garden Grove CA vs North Charleston SC — 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%

North Charleston, SC

South Carolina · Population: 117,460

  • Median HH Income$62,789
  • Median Home Price$313,219
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+28.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
North Charleston
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
48.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
North Charleston
14.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
North Charleston
N/A

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +

Which City is Right for You?

Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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 & North Charleston