Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Garden Grove, CA
It is a short 39 mi hop from Los Angeles, CA to Garden Grove, CA — roughly 48 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
39 mi · 48 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 22 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Simi Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% above Los Angeles — $952,183 → $1,013,183 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 12.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Garden Grove — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.51 |
Households in Garden Grove earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 20–30% 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 — 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 Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Garden Grove?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Garden Grove vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 14.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via I 405 and CA 22. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 12.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 6.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Garden Grove, CA.