Living in Irvine, CA
Irvine is the 63rd-largest city in the US, home to about 319,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.6% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (113.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 318,764+3.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $1,191,5008.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,997/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $136,719median, per year
- Price level
- 113.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 67° / 79°lows 49° / 66°
- Average commute
- 25 min28% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Orange County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 56 ft
Metro area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Cost of living in Irvine
The median home in Irvine is worth $1,191,500 and the median household earns $136,719 a year, so a typical home costs about 8.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,997 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area at 113.6, with housing at 170.4 and goods at 106.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $85,200 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Irvine?
Irvine weather
Average highs run from 67°F in January to 79°F in July, and January nights average 49°F. It gets 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Irvine
People and work
The median resident is 34.0 years old, and 71% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 44% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 25 minutes; 28% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.0131st youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 71%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 45%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,85865.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%4% walk, 1.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 10.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2002median year
Who moves to Irvine, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Riverside (Riverside County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and San Jose (Santa Clara County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Riverside (Riverside County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Orange County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, wildfire, coastal flooding.
Home prices
+3.3% in a year
Up 46% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
11% good days
99 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Irvine
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Angel Stadium of Anaheim 9 miles
- University of California-Irvine 3 miles
- Mt San Antonio College 25 miles
- Stanbridge University 3 miles
- El Camino Community College District 33 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Irvine
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| John Wayne Airport SNA | 3 mi | 5,370,273 |
| Long Beach Airport LGB | 22 mi | 2,031,810 |
| Ontario International Airport ONT | 28 mi | 3,494,554 |
| Hawthorne Municipal Airport HHR | 34 mi | 6,417 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Irvine
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fullerton | 14 mi | 38,546 | $5,115 | 68% |
| California State University-Long Beach | 19 mi | 35,924 | $9,426 | 70% |
| University of California-Irvine | 3 mi | 30,197 | $13,866 | 87% |
| Saddleback College | 12 mi | 17,684 | $23,913 | 51% |
| Fullerton College | 15 mi | 17,121 | $1,302 | 42% |
| Santiago Canyon College | 8 mi | 10,579 | $2,040 | 48% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Irvine
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Santa Ana John Wayne Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Irvine.
Wildfire smoke in Irvine
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Irvine on about 38 days a year, including about 7 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Irvine
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 112,091 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Irvine
Downtown Irvine is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine Unified School District | K to 12 | 38,028 | 45 | 26.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Capistrano Unified School District (40,358 students), Garden Grove Unified School District (37,009 students), Santa Ana Unified School District (36,036 students), Anaheim Union High School District (26,120 students), Orange Unified School District (23,823 students), Saddleback Valley Unified School District (22,691 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Irvine's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Irvine's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Milpitas, CA69% matchCompare
- San Jose, CA68% matchCompare
- Fremont, CA66% matchCompare
- Santa Clara, CA64% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Irvine
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Irvine
- Mount Baldy Ski Lifts 42 miles
- Buckhorn Ski Club 46 miles
- Kratka Ridge 46 miles
- Mount Waterman 47 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Irvine
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.
- Data A highly educated city: 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 8.7 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Orange County (FEMA rates it very high), led by inland flooding, earthquake and wildfire.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 99 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Irvine report card from locals
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Irvine through locals' eyes
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Cities near Irvine
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tustin, CA | 4 mi | 77,843 | $950,400 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Santa Ana, CA | 6 mi | 315,586 | $713,000 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Newport Beach, CA | 6 mi | 81,977 | $2,000,001 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Costa Mesa, CA | 6 mi | 108,881 | $1,115,100 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Lake Forest, CA | 8 mi | 86,333 | $937,000 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Orange, CA | 8 mi | 138,365 | $945,800 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Irvine ranks 31st of 144 in our best suburbs of Los Angeles ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Irvine with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Irvine a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare Irvine side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Irvine?
The Census Bureau estimates Irvine had 318,764 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 307,656 in April 2020 (+3.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Irvine?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,200 in the Irvine area. The median household here earns $136,719.
When is the best time to visit Irvine?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 79°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.
What county is Irvine in?
Irvine is in Orange County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Irvine in?
Irvine is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Irvine?
About 56 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Irvine. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Santa Ana John Wayne Airport, CA station; snowfall from Tustin Irvine Rch, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.