Irvine CA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Irvine
38.7%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Renton
39.2%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 75,721 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.0 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 38.7% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.0% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 39.2% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 6.8% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 24.0% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.5% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.0% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.1% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.1% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 40.1 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA