Garden Grove CA vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 107,198 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 16.8% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 1.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 7.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $694,123 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 50.7% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 23.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while sandy Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $694,123. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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%.
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