Garden Grove CA vs Simi Valley 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
18.2%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Simi Valley
1.4%
Simi Valley +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
10.7%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
27.1%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 125,769 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 41.8 | Garden Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 18.2% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 10.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 27.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Simi Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Simi Valley
$839,862
Simi Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $839,862 | Simi Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Simi Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Simi Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, 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 +
Simi Valley
24.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 24.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | 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
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, 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
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 31.0 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while simi Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $839,862. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Simi Valley 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