Irvine, CA vs Shelby, NC
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
Shelby
70.8
#1062 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $46,176). Shelby leads in cost of living index (90 vs 178). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Shelby, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 70.8 (#1062) |
| Population | 307,670 | 22,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $214,559 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $46,176 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 28.6 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+35.0 |
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 →
C-
70.8 Score
Shelby, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$214,559
Population
22,010
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Shelby, NC →