Garden Grove CA vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 94,723 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 10.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.3% | 0.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 3.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 11.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 28.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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