Chester, PA 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.
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $39,193). Chester leads in cost of living index (86 vs 178). Chester leads in walk score (60 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chester, PA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,595 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $39,193 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 21.7 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 22.8 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.7 | D+2.6 |
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Score
Chester, PA
Small Pennsylvania city with local appeal
Population
33,595
Crime
High
Walk Score
60
Median Income
$39,193
Northeast
View Chester, PA →
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 →