Irvine CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 22.4% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 2.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $88,575 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $33,716 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.5% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 25.7% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 36.7% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.2% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.5% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 13.6% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.5% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 66.8°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.1 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside 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 Riverside 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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