Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 51.3% | 38.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 2.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 11.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $1,566,872 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 43.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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