Irvine, CA vs Mesa, AZ
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
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $73,766). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 38).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 67 (#1475) |
| Population | 307,670 | 511,648 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $433,754 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $73,766 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+3.5 |
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+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →