Garden Grove CA vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 76,836 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 2.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 5.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $65,712 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 13.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 34.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.9% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 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