Appleton, WI 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.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $75,469). Appleton leads in average commute (19.4 min vs 25.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 74,719 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | D+2.6 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
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 →