Irvine CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 14.1% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 2.0% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 5.2% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 10.5% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $80,269 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $50,605 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.4% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 54.4% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 28.6% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.1% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.9% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.8% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.7% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 30.6 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and 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%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA