Irvine CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 220,482 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.3 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 12.2% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 2.0% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 8.8% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $83,857 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $44,756 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.0% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 33.5% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 37.3% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.7% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.3% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 39.2 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.1 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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%.
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