Garden Grove CA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 28,542 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 42.3 | Garden Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 6.8% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 3.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 4.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 38.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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