Carlsbad, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 31). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 202).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 113,495 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, 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 →