Irvine, CA vs San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 33). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $99,413). San Marcos leads in cost of living index (166 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 307,670 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 33 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 6.1 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →
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