Allen TX vs Irvine CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 55.7% | 38.7% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 2.0% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 11.3% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 11.7% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $1,566,872 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 43.8% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 15.4% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA