Garden Grove CA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 47,823 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 11.6% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $50,294 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $28,418 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 24.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 19.6% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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