Irvine, CA vs Laurel, MD
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
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 33.5 min). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $92,035).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 307,670 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+13.9 |
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
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →