Garden Grove CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Waco
9.8%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 141,925 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 9.8% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 1.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 2.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 29.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Garden Grove +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $51,468 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $28,819 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 24.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 48.9% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 20.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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