Dallas, TX 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.
Dallas
70.1
#1132 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $61,899). Dallas leads in cost of living index (105 vs 178). Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 5.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1132) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 1,304,379 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,590 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $61,899 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Very Low |
| School Rating | 5.8 | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+22.2 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.1 Score
Dallas, TX
Big D - business and culture collide
Median Home
$309,590
Population
1,304,379
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Dallas, TX →
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 →