Firstly why Garden-Grove, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Garden-Grove
- State: California
- Population: 175,227 people
- Garden-Grove’s quick summary would be Famous for the annual Strawberry Festival and the vibrant Little Saigon district.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 25,000 annually
- Net Migration: -17000 less people annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,200
- Number of Homeless people: 600
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a diverse population and entertainment options appealing to various residents
Perk #1: Garden-Grove Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 30%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 52%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $66,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Garden-Grove is $76,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $10000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Garden-Grove’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 160 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $4,859
- Property Tax %: 1.09%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,900
- Rent for an average house: $2,700
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Garden Grove
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Garden-Grove, Anaheim, Santa-Ana, Orange, and probably could include Buena-Park
- Avg. Age of Homes in Garden-Grove: 56 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Garden-Grove’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Garden-Grove are Healthcare, Retail, and Manufacturing
- Garden-Grove Job Scene: moderate job market primarily in retail and healthcare
- The General Tech Scene: limited tech presence predominantly related to local healthcare and services , ,
- Garden-Grove Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Garden-Grove: 10.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 120 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 12
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Garden-Grove
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $180 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-22 offers regional connectivity through Garden Grove
- Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on Harbor Boulevard
- Transportation Score: 43 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Garden-Grove: 55,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.3
- No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Garden-Grove: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 65 of 100
- Local Airport: John Wayne
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Garden-Grove’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
- General Weather in Garden-Grove is best described as has mild winters with cool temperatures and warm dry summers with occasional heat waves
- Winter Weather in Garden-Grove i’d describe as mild with sunny days
- Spring Weather in Garden-Grove can be described as warm and dry
- Summer’s in Garden-Grove are mostly warm and sunny
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Garden-Grove is usually warm and sunny
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 34 days in summer
- Days in a row in Garden-Grove below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 15 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by traffic and industry
- Garden-Grove Winter Air average air quality with pollution from urban sources
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Garden-Grove Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Garden-Grove 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Garden-Groves’s city limits are 4
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Garden Grove Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Garden-Grove Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Garden-Grove only Doctors is about 90
- Local Hospitals here is 5
- Full-time Garden-Grove only Police Officers is about 240
- Crime Rate Index: 45/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Garden-Grove’s Monthly utility bill average is $220
- Garden-Grove’s Monthly Gym Membership: $60
- Garden-Grove’s Water Quality Score: 70
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Garden-Grove
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 8 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: community-oriented city with cultural events and local parks
- You might enjoy concerts at the Garden Grove Amphitheater
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Garden-Grove features vibrant dining options and clubs that create a lively atmosphere for locals and visitors
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Garden-Grove
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a rich Vietnamese food scene and casual dining options
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Garden-Grove
- The Popular Sports Team is Garden Grove High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Garden-Grove can be described as politically mixed area with a significant immigrant population
- Garden-Grove’s Longer standing religious establishment is Angelus Temple Garden Grove
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Garden-Grove Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Garden-Grove has 30 Parks?
- Garden Grove Park is Garden-Grove’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Garden Grove Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Outdoor festivals, hiking, and picnicking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Garden-Grove Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Garden-Grove can be described as urban life with a mix of culture and family-oriented activities
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Garden-Grove visiting local attractions community sports events picnicking
- The Cities people commute to from Garden-Grove are Santa-Ana 6 miles away Anaheim 5 miles away Orange 7 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Garden-Grove or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: slowdowns on Harbor Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Garden-Grove’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Garden Grove is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Garden-Grove are Santa-Ana 6 miles away Anaheim 5 miles away Orange 7 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 45 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Garden-Grove has 0 days in a row below freezing and 34 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Garden-Grove people have an average (positive or negative) $10000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
600 homeless people living in Garden-Grove. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically mixed area with a significant immigrant population could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Garden-Grove.
Retiree & Senior Life in Garden-Grove
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for property tax exemptions alleviating financial stress
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Leisure Court
- Garden Grove Senior Center provides meal programs fitness classes and community events
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Garden-Grove, California?
If Garden-Grove, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Garden-Grove, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!