Irvine CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 205,501 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.1 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 23.2% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 2.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $67,544 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $35,825 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.8% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 34.1% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 42.4% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 35.3% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.9% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 8.7% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.5% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 48.1 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.3 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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