Irvine CA vs Jacksonville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.4 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 12.2% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 2.0% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 4.9% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $66,981 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $37,269 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.0% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 31.9% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 34.8% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.2% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 13.9% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.8% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 70.2°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 50.0 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 26.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville 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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