Garden Grove CA vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Renton
44.4%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Renton
39.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Renton
40.1 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Garden Grove & Renton