Charlotte, NC 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.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 178). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 26). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $71,659).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 897,720 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Very Low |
| School Rating | 6.5 | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
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 →
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