Irvine, CA vs Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 5.4). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $72,458). Santa Ana leads in cost of living index (138 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 307,670 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 9.5 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
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
63.6 Score
Santa Ana, CA
Heart of Orange County
Median Home
$869,263
Population
310,227
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C
Pacific
View Santa Ana, CA →
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