Garden Grove CA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Vallejo
5.3%
Vallejo +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 68,141 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 42.1 | Garden Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 28.4% | 17.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.3% | Vallejo + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 19.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Vallejo
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Vallejo
$523,551
Vallejo +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $523,551 | Vallejo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Vallejo
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Vallejo
2388
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, 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 +
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
13.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.9% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, 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 +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 36.0 min | Garden Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while vallejo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $523,551. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo 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