Irvine, CA vs San Jose, 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
San Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 7.2). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $116,519). San Jose leads in walk score (51 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 307,670 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 9.5 | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →