Irvine CA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Peoria
3.4%
Peoria +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 194,338 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 42.1 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 2.0% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 5.8% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Peoria
$93,403
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $93,403 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $45,831 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 35.5% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 29.5% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.5% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 10.3% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.7% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.6% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.2 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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