Irvine, CA vs Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $116,519). Sunnyvale leads in walk score (54 vs 44). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 307,670 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | Low |
| School Rating | 9.5 | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 205 |
| 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
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →
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