Garden Grove CA vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

California · Population: 174,693

  • Median HH Income$109,511
  • Median Home Price$791,317
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+37.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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 & Rancho Cucamonga