Charlottesville, VA 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.
Charlottesville
70.1
#1130 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $67,177). Charlottesville leads in average commute (17 min vs 25.8 min). Charlottesville leads in cost of living index (122 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlottesville, VA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1130) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 44,983 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,903 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $67,177 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 17 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 58 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 9.8 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+68.7 | D+2.6 |
C-
70.1 Score
Charlottesville, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$522,903
Population
44,983
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
58
Northeast
View Charlottesville, VA →
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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