Albany, CA vs Irvine, 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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 44). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 31.7 min). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 207).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 19,097 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
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 →