Irvine CA vs Plymouth 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 79,526 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 40.7 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 13.6% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 2.0% | 5.0% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 10.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 4.7% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Plymouth
64.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 64.8% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Plymouth
24.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Plymouth
5.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Plymouth
8.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 24.1% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 5.3% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.5% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.5% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | 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
Irvine +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, 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
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, 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%.
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