Irvine CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.1 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 14.6% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 36.1% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 7.8% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $60,698 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $37,669 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 22.0% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 34.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 48.5 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.5 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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