Garden Grove CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Orem
10.5%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 86,973 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 10.5% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.9% | Orem + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 30.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $70,053 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 30.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.1% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 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