Irvine CA vs Midland TX — 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%
Midland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$330,788
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Midland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Midland
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Midland
N/A
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Midland
N/A
White
Irvine
38.7%
Midland
N/A
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Midland
N/A
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Midland
N/A
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Midland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | 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
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Midland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Midland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Midland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | 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 | $63,758 | 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
Midland
$330,788
Midland +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $330,788 | Midland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Midland
442
Midland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Midland
2339
Midland +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Midland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Midland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Midland
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Midland
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Midland
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Midland
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Midland
18.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Midland
12.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 36.0% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.6% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 19.6% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.8% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.5% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Midland
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Midland
14.8 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 65.6°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 14.8 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Midland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Midland
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Midland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,788. On public safety, Midland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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