Irvine CA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 174,693 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 21.1% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 44.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 2.0% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $109,511 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $45,626 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 37.3% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $791,317 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 30.0% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.5% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.1% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 8.8% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.6 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rancho Cucamonga 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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