Irvine, CA, known as 'The Master Planned City,' offers a unique blend of modern urban amenities and suburban comfort. Located in Southern California, Irvine is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Los Angeles and San Diego enhance its status as a central point in the region. Irvine's blend of pristine neighborhoods, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Irvine is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Irvine Spectrum Center, the historic Old Town Irvine, and the scenic Orange County Great Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Irvine Regional Park to the bustling University Town Center, known for its shopping and dining. Irvine's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from California cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Irvine Global Village Festival and the Irvine International Film Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Irvine's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of California, Irvine contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Irvine is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Irvine Barclay Theatre and the Irvine Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Irvine provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Irvine’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Orange County SC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Irvine include technology, education, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Blizzard Entertainment and Edwards Lifesciences driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Schools
A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Irvine, California is a big city with a population of 272,694 inhabitants. Irvine has a population density of 4,156 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (45%) and Asian (44%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Irvine. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Irvine, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Irvine, California could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Irvine and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Irvine has a livability score of 73 out of 100 and is ranked #166 in California and #4,215 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Irvine has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A), crime (A+) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Irvine. The following was graded with a concerning score: cost of living (F).
If you're living in Irvine, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Irvine an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Irvine Spectrum Center, Boomers! Irvine, and Galaxy Theatres Atascadero.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Irvine, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 75 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Irvine schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 73%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Irvine an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.
Assuming that Irvine meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Irvine. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Irvine are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Irvine come in at $861,700, which is 110.5% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Irvine, the home price to income ratio is 8, which is 25% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Irvine | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.1% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.6% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.3% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.8% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Top 10 cities in California with the best education system
10 best cities to buy a new house in California
Check out the 10 safest cities in California