Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 82.8% | 38.7% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.0% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.3% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 11.7% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $1,566,872 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 43.8% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Irvine
8.3%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.3% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.4% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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