Irvine, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Irvine.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Irvine?
For relocators asking how much Irvine costs: the housing index sits at 291 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $1,115,400 and rents near $2,893. Local median income is about $129,647 and unemployment recently ran 4.2% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 26 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 64.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 291U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $1,115,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,893U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $129,647U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 64.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 78°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Irvine compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 318,683City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $129,647Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year65% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 291ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year191% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $1,115,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year268% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,893City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year115% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 43Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 64.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)89% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1306.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)58% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 78°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 49°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 11.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals66% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 324As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals21% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Irvine grew 49.3% from 213,450 in 2010 to 318,683 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Irvine expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Irvine runs 191 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 291 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $1,115,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,893 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Irvine?
Budget first around $2,893/month rent or $1,115,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $1,115,400
- Median rent $2,893/month
- Median household income $129,647
What is the job market like in Irvine?
Labor-market context for Irvine: unemployment 4.2% and median income $129,647. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $129,647
How long is the typical commute in Irvine?
Plan on roughly 26 minutes each way in Irvine. Walk Score estimates around 43 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 43/100
Is Irvine safer than similar U.S. cities?
Irvine's FBI-derived violent rate (~64.2/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 64.2 per 100k
- Property 1306.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Irvine?
Irvine's climate profile: 78°F summer peaks, 49°F winter mornings, 11.2" annual rainfall, and 324 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 78°F
- Winter low 49°F
- 11.2 in rain · 324 sunny days
About 318,683 people live in Irvine, CA. Households here report a median income near $129,647; our housing-derived cost index is about 291 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $1,115,400 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 324 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 26 minutes one-way, with walkability near 43/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.2% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 64.2 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Irvine is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Irvine with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Irvine city, 1600000US0636770) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Orange County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093184 SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10