Helena, AL 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.
Helena
74.5
#582 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 12). Helena leads in cost of living index (101 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Helena, AL | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#582) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 22,117 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $367,018 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $107,360 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 12 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 2.0 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+40.8 | D+2.6 |
C
74.5 Score
Helena, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$367,018
Population
22,117
Crime
Low
Walk Score
12
Southeast
View Helena, AL →
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 →