Berkeley, 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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 44). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 222). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 118,962 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+2.6 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, 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 →