Irvine, CA vs Laguna Beach, 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
Laguna Beach
64.3
#1701 nationally
Laguna Beach leads in median household income ($141,875 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 27.4 min). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 43).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laguna Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 64.3 (#1701) |
| Population | 307,670 | 22,332 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $3,056,376 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $141,875 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 27.4 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 4.6 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D
64.3 Score
Laguna Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$3,056,376
Population
22,332
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Laguna Beach, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Irvine for: