Garden Grove CA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 102,866 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 8.9% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 1.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 17.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $52,512 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $29,511 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 39.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.3% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.2% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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