Irvine CA vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Nashville
N/A
White
Irvine
38.7%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | 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
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Nashville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | 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 | $59,097 | 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
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $436,355 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 47.9 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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