Garden Grove CA vs Oceanside 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Oceanside
7.4%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 20.9% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 7.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Oceanside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Oceanside
$877,452
Oceanside +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $877,452 | Oceanside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Oceanside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Oceanside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, 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 +
Oceanside
26.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 26.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.9% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, 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 +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 31.8 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while oceanside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $877,452. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside 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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