Irvine, CA vs Lafayette, 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.
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 26). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 307,670 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+38.0 |
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 →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
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