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City

Irvine

#1 in Best Places to Live in Orange County
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • City in California
  • 281 reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    A+
  2. Crime & Safety
    B
  3. Housing
    C
  4. Nightlife
    A-
  5. Good for Families
    A+
  6. Diversity
    A+
  7. Jobs
    B
  8. Weather
    A+
  9. Cost of Living
    D
  10. Health & Fitness
    A+
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A
  12. Commute
    A-
View Full Report Card
Irvine is a city in California with a population of 256,877. Irvine is in Orange County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Irvine offers residents a suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Irvine there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Irvine and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Irvine are highly rated.
About Irvine...
Population
256,877

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$753,400
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$2,114
National
$949
Area Feel
Suburban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    52%
  • Own
    48%
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Irvine Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Irvine Neighborhood Map

  • Public Schools
  • Private Schools
  • Colleges

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      24
      283
    • Murder
      1
      6
    • Rape
      17
      41
    • Robbery
      20
      136
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      227
      500
    • Theft
      1,019
      2,043
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      70
      284
    Home Security Options for Irvine
    Learn More
    • 24/7 Whole home protection with no contract
    • CNET Editor’s choice winner 2018

    Residents

    Diversity
    A+
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      12%
    • 10-17 years
      10%
    • 18-24 years
      13%
    • 25-34 years
      16%
    • 35-44 years
      15%
    • 45-54 years
      14%
    • 55-64 years
      10%
    • 65+ years
      10%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      29%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      38%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      20%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      8%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      4%
      13%

    Working in Irvine

    Jobs
    B
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $95,573
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Irvine
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    Irvine Reviews

    281 reviews
    All Categories
    Irvine is probably one of the safest, cleanest, and greenest cities in CA (if not, in the US)! It is located in Orange County, so it's really easy to go up to LA area or drive down to San Diego. Irvine is home to a lot of high-ranking schools like the University of California Irvine (UCI), Concordia University, Irvine Valley College, the Orange County Center of the University of Southern California (USC), and campuses of California State University Fullerton (CSUF), University of La Verne, and Pepperdine University. This city is really beautiful with streets dotted with flowers and trees. It is very quiet and all neighborhoods are well-maintained. There's a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities.
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    Irvine is one of the nice cities with beautiful landscape. It is known as the city of where wealthy people live. I have visited the houses of some friends many times. The University of California, Irvine is also a wonderful university. One of my favorite places to go to in Irvine would have to be the Irvine Spectrum. I would like to live in an apartment in this city!
    I grew up in Irvine! I have lived in Irvine since 1974 ...I have seen it GROW and Grow and it still has not changed ..and I mean there is a "GREAT SENSE of togetherness" with the people who LIVE in Irvine! THEY LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE! And it's Awesome to be PROUD of it! We respect and take "Care of our Community" by supporting our education for our children, we have churches that nurture our youth, we have businesses that donate to OUR schools, we have diversity, and yes we close our stores early for the safety of our children and residents! Nothing wrong with that! Irvine is a community of HARDWORKING, HIGHLY EDUCATED and successful people living here! And that's OK.