Garden Grove CA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 26,509 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 7.1% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 5.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 3.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Garden Grove 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
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