Garden Grove CA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 161,993 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 36.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 21.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 5.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $89,150 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $28,813 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 15.5% | Garden Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 47.0% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 32.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 22.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas 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