Garden Grove CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 19.9% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 17.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 8.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 44.3% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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