Goleta, 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.
Goleta
65.8
#1608 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Goleta leads in average commute (18 min vs 25.8 min). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 192). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $113,889).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Goleta, CA | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.8 (#1608) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 32,665 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,364,943 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $113,889 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.6 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 192 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+26.7 | D+2.6 |
D
65.8 Score
Goleta, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,364,943
Population
32,665
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Pacific
View Goleta, 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 →