Encinitas, 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.
Encinitas
63.4
#1769 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Encinitas leads in median household income ($142,506 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 215). Encinitas leads in average commute (24.5 min vs 25.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Encinitas, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.4 (#1769) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 60,841 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,932,178 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $142,506 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 24.5 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.9 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 215 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
D
63.4 Score
Encinitas, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,932,178
Population
60,841
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Encinitas, 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 →