Irvine, CA vs Rutherford, 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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in walk score (67 vs 44). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 33.5 min). Rutherford leads in cost of living index (146 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 307,670 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+3.4 |
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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →