Garden Grove, CA vs San Marcos, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Garden Grove
63.2
#1788 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Garden Grove leads in walk score (62 vs 33). San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 7.6). San Marcos leads in median household income ($99,413 vs $86,139).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.2 (#1788) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 168,234 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,015,470 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $86,139 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 29.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 7.6 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
D
63.2 Score
Garden Grove, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,015,470
Population
168,234
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
62
Pacific
View Garden Grove, CA →
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →
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