Irvine CA vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Medford
N/A
White
Irvine
38.7%
Medford
N/A
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 38.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 44.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Medford
15.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 33.0% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.9% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.1% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 10.4% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.6% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 55.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 18.4 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. 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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