Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Fullerton, CA
The drive from Garden Grove to Fullerton covers 10 mi in about 21 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
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
| Garden Grove | Fullerton | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Garden Grove (113.566) and Fullerton (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $1,013,183 vs $1,050,945 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 11.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.98 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $104,219 in Fullerton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton 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: Fullerton sees only 11.9 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 much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 3.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fullerton, CA from Garden Grove, 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 does the job market in Fullerton compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove 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.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Fullerton?
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.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 15.6% higher 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Fullerton, CA.