Fresno, 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.
Fresno
66.6
#1521 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $63,001). Fresno leads in cost of living index (123 vs 178). Fresno leads in average commute (22.3 min vs 25.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 545,716 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+2.6 |
D
66.6 Score
Fresno, CA
Major California city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$390,993
Population
545,716
Crime
High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Fresno, 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 →