Buffalo Grove, IL 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.
Buffalo Grove
77.6
#229 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Buffalo Grove leads in cost of living index (126 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 28.8 min). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 40).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo Grove, IL | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#229) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 42,482 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $452,107 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $127,553 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 28.8 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+2.6 |
C+
77.6 Score
Buffalo Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$452,107
Population
42,482
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Buffalo Grove, IL →
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 →
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