Garden Grove CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 14.6% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 1.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 7.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 15.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $60,698 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.3% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 34.5 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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