Irvine, CA vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $71,367). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 29). Lancaster leads in cost of living index (126 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 307,670 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+32.9 |
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-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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