Irvine CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Orem
10.5%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 86,973 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 10.5% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 2.0% | 1.9% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 1.6% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $70,053 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $33,579 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 25.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 30.3% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.1% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 11.5% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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