Des Moines, WA 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.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $81,362). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 31,988 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+2.6 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
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 →