Irvine, CA vs Norwalk, CT
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
Norwalk
69.8
#1171 nationally
Norwalk leads in cost of living index (142 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $97,879). Norwalk leads in walk score (48 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 69.8 (#1171) |
| Population | 307,670 | 92,458 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $677,124 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $97,879 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 27.3 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 2.3 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | N/A |
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+
69.8 Score
Norwalk, CT
Connecticut community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$677,124
Population
92,458
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Northeast
View Norwalk, CT →