Irvine CA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Irvine
38.7%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.0 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 24.8% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 2.0% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 17.6% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $104,321 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $54,678 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 49.9% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Diego +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $1,006,261 | San Diego + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 24.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.2% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.5% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 8.5% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.3% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while san Diego offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,006,261. On public safety, San Diego 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 San Diego 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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