Irvine CA vs Pueblo CO — 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%

Pueblo, CO

Colorado · Population: 111,514

  • Median HH Income$55,305
  • Median Home Price$286,326
  • Unemployment5.9%
  • Bachelor's+22.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Pueblo
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Pueblo
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Pueblo
22.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Pueblo
3234

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Pueblo
15.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +

Which City is Right for You?

Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.

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About Irvine & Pueblo