Garden Grove CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garden Grove
170,603
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 10.7% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 1.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 2.3% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 17.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $57,673 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.5% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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