Irvine, CA vs San Rafael, 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 Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
San Rafael leads in walk score (53 vs 44). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 213). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 27.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Rafael, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 58.5 (#1954) |
| Population | 307,670 | 59,555 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $1,332,023 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $113,839 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 15.3 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+63.9 |
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
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F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →