Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Anaheim +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 308,160 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 41.2% | 38.7% | Anaheim + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.0% | Anaheim + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 11.3% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Irvine
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Irvine
5.5%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Anaheim +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $1,566,872 | Anaheim + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 43.8% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Irvine
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Irvine
2388
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 14.3 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while anaheim offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $952,227. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
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