Moving from Fullerton, CA to Garden Grove, CA
Moving from Fullerton, CA to Garden Grove, CA is a 10 mi drive, about 21 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
10 mi Β· 21 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Irvine |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garden Grove and Fullerton is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Fullerton and Garden Grove are within 5% of each other ($1,050,945 vs $1,013,183 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Fullerton (66.2Β°F) and Garden Grove (66.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Garden Grove gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.51 |
Median household income in Garden Grove is 0.0% below Fullerton ($104,219 β $90,166, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 13.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 10 mi and the route typically takes 21 min via CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 3.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 10 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Garden Grove, CA.