Irvine CA vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Richmond
34.5%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Richmond
13.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 115,396 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.6 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 34.5% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 21.4% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.0% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 13.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $90,038 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $41,898 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 13.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 32.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, 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 +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 32.9% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.8% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 13.9% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 24.9 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, 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 +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 37.7 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Irvine costs $1,566,872, which is 158% more expensive than Richmond's median of $608,357. In Richmond, a median home costs 6.8× the annual household income, compared to 12.1× in Irvine. On public safety, Richmond is 0% safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in the other city. Economically, Irvine has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 5.5% and a higher median household income of $129,647. For quality of life, Irvine has a lower obesity rate (19.2%). If affordable housing is a priority, Richmond presents a compelling case with home prices 61% below Irvine. Use the detailed table above to weigh all 27 metrics based on what matters most to you.
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