Irvine, CA vs Plainfield, NJ
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
Plainfield
64.6
#1687 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $70,712). Plainfield leads in cost of living index (122 vs 178). Plainfield leads in walk score (54 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 64.6 (#1687) |
| Population | 307,670 | 54,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $521,339 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $70,712 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 11.3 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+13.9 |
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
64.6 Score
Plainfield, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$521,339
Population
54,670
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Plainfield, NJ →
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