Garden Grove CA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 41.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 28.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.1% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.7% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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