Garden Grove CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 9.1% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 7.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 8.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Garden Grove +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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