Garden Grove CA vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 95,358 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 28.7% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 22.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Garden Grove +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $1,128,110 | Garden Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, 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
Garden Grove +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 44.9 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while garden Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,012,728. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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