Garden Grove CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 22.4% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 8.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $88,575 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Garden Grove +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 34.1 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside 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 Riverside 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%.
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