Irvine, California
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
FBI (2024)
#1 Safest Large City
Niche (2025)
#5 Best Cities to Raise a Family
WhereAtHome Score
67.2
D+out of 100
Overview
Irvine features elite school systems and meticulously master-planned neighborhoods that set the standard for suburban development. While costs are higher than most cities on this list, the quality-of-life metrics justify the premium for many families. Access to beaches, mountains, and a strong job market round out the appeal.
Key Highlights
- UCI (University of California, Irvine) research hub
- Consistently ranked safest large city in America
- Top-rated Irvine Unified School District
- Master-planned communities with extensive trails
- Strong tech and biotech job market
- Near beaches and outdoor recreation
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Orange County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
84°F
Winter Low
45°F
Annual Rainfall
13"
Sunny Days
281
Amenities & Infrastructure
62+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
3 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
1 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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