Irvine, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 307,670 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 20 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 4.0 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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