Moving from Bellevue, WA to Garden Grove, CA
It is 1167 mi between Bellevue and Garden Grove — roughly 22h 13m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1167 mi · 22h 13m by car · CA → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Orange, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Bellevue and Garden Grove sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,516,154 in Bellevue to $1,013,183 in Garden Grove, a 2.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 12.5" |
Annual temperature rises 12.9°F moving to Garden Grove per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Garden Grove sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.51 |
Garden Grove households earn about 2.2% less than Bellevue at the median — $161,300 → $90,166 on 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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 2.2% higher than Bellevue (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Garden Grove?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Garden Grove vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 37.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 1167 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1167 mi and the route typically takes 22h 13m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Garden Grove, CA.