Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 59.2% | 38.7% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 11.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $1,566,872 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville 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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