Arcata, CA vs Irvine, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $43,444). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 25.8 min). Arcata leads in cost of living index (133 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 19,012 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+2.6 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Arcata, CA →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →